Psalms · Psalm 117

"Praise Hashem, all you nations" — therefore he says further, "praise" — in my opinion, because the meaning of "all nations" is those who were under David's rule, like [the phrase] "if there be a nation and a kingdom." But Rabbi Moshe said that it includes every nation. And the meaning of "for His mercy has prevailed" is that He deals kindly with all, giving them life and sustaining them. And he says, "and the truth of Hashem endures forever," as opposed to the nations, who do not believe, [but trust] in their vanities. And he concludes with "Halleluyah" — so let them always do.

"Praise" — this psalm consists of only two verses, and it concerns the days of the Messiah; and he hinted at this by making it only two verses, for all the peoples will be [divided into] two groups: Israel will be [devoted] to their Torah, and all the nations to the seven [Noahide] commandments, [forming] one flock, and all of them will say Hallelujah, for all of them will acknowledge Him then. And since he said at the end of the psalm, "Hallelujah," which he said with reference to Israel, he saw by the holy spirit (ruach hakodesh) that all the nations too would praise Yah; yet he said, with reference to all of them, "Praise Hashem, all you nations." "Laud Him, all you peoples" — this repeats the same idea in different words; and this you have [reason] to praise Him and laud Him for.

"Praise" — This is said regarding the future: you, all the nations, all of you, praise Hashem.

(1-2) 'Praise' — he says that Hashem fulfilled this request of his, and Israel was saved; and also all the nations whom Sennacherib had taken captive and brought before Jerusalem shall praise Hashem, because 'His mercy has prevailed over us' — for through this, those very captives were also saved, as it is written, 'The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Cush and the Sabeans, shall come over unto you.' And likewise the rest of the nations with whom Sennacherib had warred gave thanks to Hashem for this, as it is written, 'What then shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That Hashem has founded Zion.' And corresponding to what he said, 'give glory for Your name's sake,' he says, 'Praise Hashem, all you nations'; and corresponding to what he said about 'Your mercy,' he says, 'for His mercy has prevailed over us'; and corresponding to what he said about 'Your truth,' he says, 'and the truth of Hashem endures forever' — meaning, His promise endures forever.

"For His kindness has overwhelmed us" — That is to say: and surely we [must praise Him], for His kindness has overwhelmed us. "and the truth of the Lord is eternal" — For He kept His promise that He promised the Patriarchs.

"For His mercy is great toward us" — until He brought us out of exile, something you did not believe could happen; and now everyone gives thanks and says, "and the truth of Hashem endures forever" — for His word and the promise He made me, to bring us out of exile, are true. And he says further, "Hallelujah" — to reinforce this, or he said it addressed to Israel. "And the truth of Hashem endures forever" — this is the truth that You have fulfilled what You said: 'Then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and also My covenant with Isaac, and also My covenant with Abraham I will remember, and the land I will remember.'

"For... has prevailed" — Because His kindness has prevailed, and He is forever a God of truth, for He fulfilled His promise to us; therefore, praise Hashem.