The Worldwide Scope of the Gospel | What is the Message of the Shortest Chapter in the Bible?

Concerning this psalm, the great puritan Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “There is a great deal of gospel in this psalm.” I believe he is correct. 

Psalm 117 happens to be the shortest Psalm in the book of Psalms. It is also the shortest chapter in the entire Bible. And, it is the middle chapter of the Bible. This becomes even more interesting when we see that Psalm 117 also capsulizes, to a very large degree, the message of the Bible! It seems that the Apostle Paul recognized this Psalm’s importance as well. In Romans 15:11Paul uses the message of Psalm 117 to support his thesis that God’s plan always included saving many Gentiles. 

Romans 15:8–11Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, [9] and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

[10] And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

[11] And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”