The Inspired Word of God from the Apostle Paul: Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Extol Him all you peoples. For great is His hesed (Note 2) toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 117) (Note 1)

Psalm 117 has at least three distinguishing features: it is the shortest Psalm in the Bible, it is the shortest chapter in the Bible, and it is the middle chapter of the Bible. Here we highlight another attribute: its link with the Biblical theme of praising God; “every knee will bow,” believer and non-believer alike. (Note 3)

“At the end of days, people of every tribe and tongue shall join in the universal song that will ascend unto the Lord of all. Through the preaching of the gospel, individuals have already been gathered out of every tribe and tongue and are currently with God, joined in the full-throated heavenly chorus, praising God and the grace that sought them out and brought them to know the Savior. These are but the advance guard of a number that no man can count who will worship the Lord.” Adapted, Spurgeon and the Psalms, Charles Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

Note 1: Gentiles: Non-Hebrews, sometimes nations, Nations, the Nations.

Note 2: Hesed (Hebrew) is one of the great loanwords of all time. It is often translated lovingkindness, but there is no word in English (or Greek) that can express the nature, fullness, and magnitude of hesed. Hesed is an expression of compassion, mercy, faithfulness, and love impelled by a free-willed decision and not by obligation. Hesed is a defining characteristic of God linked to His compassion and graciousness. It is expressed in His willingness to forgive wrongdoing and to take upon Himself the sin, rebellion, and transgressions of His people.

Note 3: It will be noted that Psalm 117 refers to the Gentiles (the Nations) and Philippians 2 refers to ALL people, Gentile and Jew alike. The Gospel, having been rejected by the Jews, was, at the direction of Jesus to Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus, taken to the Gentiles (the Nations). The Philippians 2 passage refers to the End of Days when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is King. The difference in the number (all people vs. those in the Heavenly chorus) is those who do not accept Jesus as their personal savior and King. Among which shall you be numbered?

Sources:

1. Inexpressible, Michael Card
2. Spurgeon on Micah 6:8