The Doxology
S. Conway Psalm 117:1, 2 O praise the LORD, all you nations: praise him, all you people.… This is the shortest psalm, but it is long enough to show - I. THAT THERE IS ONE SUPREME OBJECT OF WORSHIP FOR ALL MEN. It is Jehovah, the Lord. He and he alone. Three times in this short psalm is this affirmed. 1. The atheism by whatever name it is called - of the day denies this, saying, either God does not exist, or, if he does, we cannot know it. 2. False ideas of the Trinity practically deny this. Many Christians are tri-theists, though unconsciously. But such error is not the less harmful on that account. 3. The doctrine of God as given in the whole Bible never teaches other than the unity of God. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord." The human race is one in its moral condition - sin; in its need - a Savior; in its consciousness of both these facts. One God, one Savior, should be worshipped by all. II. THAT THERE IS ONE DUTY INCUMBENT ON ALL - THE PRAISE OF THE LORD. It is not in many things that all can unite; but they can, and one day will, in this. And we should seek to begin this now. It is due to God; he deserves as well as desires and demands it. It is full of blessing to ourselves. Prayer is good, but praise is better still. And it blesses others. The spirit of praise is winsome, for "praise is comely." In the walls of the city of God its gates are praise (Isaiah 60:18). We go in that way, and draw others to go in with us. III. THAT THERE IS ONE ARGUMENT AND MOTIVE WHICH WILL CONVINCE ALL - WHAT OUR GOD IS. He has not merely kindness, but merciful kindness. And it is great; no insignificant and occasional thing. And it is "toward us;" not a mere abstraction, but a positive reality. And he is ever faithful and true; his righteousness endureth forever. Not mercy without truth, nor truth without mercy. Alone, neither would have saved us. But together they constitute the salvation of God. They who know will praise the Lord. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. WEB: Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!