Psalm 117

[Robert Williams]

(Psalms 117 KJV) O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. (2) For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Here are the key words from both verses.
"Praise (the LORD)", from the Hebrew halal. A better idea of the meaning of this word HERE: "the LORD" is from the Hebrew Yahveh--the proper name of God.

"all", from Hebrew kol, meaning all, totality (absolutely nothing left out)

"nations", from Hebrew goy: properly, a confluence of men, a whole people (used of a ntation). This word is used to describe both the nation of Israel as well as Gentile nations. In this reference, it is used collectively of all nations of the earth.

"praise (Him all ye people)", is from Hebrew shabach, meaning properly, to soothe, to stroke. The picture behind the word is of a person swimming, which is done by the action of stroking the waves.

"merciful kindness", from Hebrew chesed. This word is used in a good sense of burning, passionate love and zeal toward someone (benevolence--as shown in mutual benefits; pity--shown to those in misfortune; piety--of righteous men toward God; grace and favour--of God towards men). In short, chesed is an eager pursuit of someone stemming from an intense, burning, passionate desire for them. It is head-over-heels, heart-pounding, soul-panting love--and it's the description of how Yahveh feels toward each one of us, at all times!

"is great", from Hebrew gabar, meaning to be strong, to prevail. This word, like other verbs of strength in Hebrew carry the picture of a rope, which is made up of many threads of various lengths and widths--some as short and thin as a human hair. Through the twisting and binding together of these threads, regardless of their individual size, the rope gains strength.

"toward us", from Hebrew 'al, meaning upon or over; to be upon something or have it as it's foundation. God's chesed is the foundation of strength as He twists and binds Himself to us! Pretty amazing, huh?

"truth", from Hebrew 'emeth, meaning firmness, stability, security, faithfulness and fidelity, in which anyone is consisten and performs ; also, uprightness or integrity of mind; truth as opposed to falsehood.

"(endureth) forever", from Hebrew 'olam, which refers to eternity. It includes the eternity that existed before time began, the span that we know as time, and the eternity that will exist after time has ceased. In other words, it exists, always has existed and will exist forever.

Based upon these definitions, here is my picture translation of the shortest chapter of the Bible with a tremendous message:

(Psalm 117:1) O clearly and brilliantly, with grandly eloquent words and much rejoicing to the point of appearing foolish, praise Yahweh all nations of the earth, whether Israelites or Gentiles and properly soothe Him with praises all ye people. (2) For His eager pursuit of us born out of extreme passion and zeal is the foundation of strength as He twists and binds Himself to us and the firmness, stability, integrity, and faithful consistency of Yahweh was before time, exists through time, and will forever exist after time. Clearly and brilliantly, with grandly eloquent words and much rejoicing to the point to appearing foolish, praise Yahweh.

Shalom v' shalom y'all!
Robert Williams

[Robert]

Awesome!