What does Psalm 117:1 mean?

The psalmist calls upon all the Gentiles to praise the Lord. This expression uses the term goyim, literally meaning "nations." This is the common Old Testament reference to all of the kingdoms of the world outside of Israel. The verse also mentions the ummah, a general reference to ethnicities or people groups. This summons for worship is meant for the entire world.

This pattern of calling on all people, other than just Israel, is a common theme of the Bible (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 45:22; Luke 2:10). This verse is quoted in Romans 15:11. John's vision of the end times shows a massive group of people, of every nationality and language, praising God in eternity (Revelation 7:9).

The opening phrase, often translated "praise the Lord," is not one of this segment's many uses of the expression halelu-jāh. Instead, this verse uses halelu' et YHWH. This is a fully expressed call to praise the Lord God, using the personal name He spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:15). The end of this psalm (Psalm 117:2) uses the shorter version which is the source of the English expression "hallelujah."