Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
2 For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!
A Psalm exhorting praise to God from all peoples.
“Martin Luther devoted thirty-six pages to this psalm, expounding it in four important categories: (1) prophecy (the Gentiles will participate in gospel blessings), (2) revelation (the kingdom of Christ is not earthly and temporal but rather heavenly and eternal), (3) instruction (we are saved by faith alone and not by works, wisdom, or holiness), and (4) admonition (we should praise God for such a great salvation).” (James Montgomery Boice)
Praise the Lord, all nations - The Psalmist is prophetic in preaching, through this song, that which was prophesied to Abraham, by God, long ago.
1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”… Genesis 12: 1-3
The nation of Israel was set apart, chosen by God, as the physical representation of His redemptive plan for humanity. They held the oracles of God, recording the history of His redemption, the promise and foretelling of Messiah, making God's infinite opposition to sin known to all mankind. Sadly, they often held up lineage and tradition, form over function, and became hearers only, not doers of the Word. Therefore they were self deceived and often held in contempt those outside the camp, yet the Bible has clearly shown those sins outside were also in the heart of those who had the revealed Word of God, His law, revealing that all have sinned. God's Word spares no man or nation their pride, but has quite painfully and honestly shown what Israel shares in common with all mankind, utter depravity, gross unthankfulness, a very materialistic idolatry.
iv. “The historical limitations of God’s manifestation to a special nation were means to its universal diffusion. The fire was gathered in a grate, that it might warm the whole house. All men have a share in what God does for Israel.” (Maclaren)
Extol him, all peoples - Extol means to praise enthusiastically. What was given to Israel, the revelation of God, His character, virtues, every aspect of His nature, crowned by His inherent Holiness, was made known to us through them. Every meticulous detail of the sacrifices, atonement, God's chastening of His people, His intervening in history, redeeming them from Egypt, and keeping a remnant always throughout every captivity and dispersion, is all praise worthy. We should be exceedingly thankful to the Creator that He has made Himself known to us, and pray for Israel to come to salvation. All this careful attention to detail has preserved in word, picture, example and progressive revelation, the Gospel according to God. See these passages for a few examples of God's progressive revelation.
…21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.… John 4: 21-23
…11 He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.… Acts 4: 11-13
For great is His steadfast love toward us - There is no room here for pride, for there is no way for the dead to raise themselves. This is not a gospel of human will or achievement, for the unregenerate heart is opposed to the things of God. God has made Himself known, has revealed His law, has convicted His sheep, and this is the greatest display of love, unmatched and undeserved. Praise Him most fervently.
…16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.… John 1: 16-18
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