Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm in the Bible, only two verses: “O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.” In Latin it is the Laudate Dominum, sung at the end of Benediction and set to music by Mozart. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 116. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 117 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Psalm 117 or Psalm 116?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 116 is Psalm 117 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes. See how many psalms are there?
Two verses, the whole Gospel
The shortest psalm sums up the whole message of the Bible in a few words. It calls every nation to praise God, not only Israel, and gives two reasons: God’s mercy, his steadfast, covenant love, which is “confirmed upon us,” and his truth, his faithfulness, which “remaineth for ever.” Mercy and truth are the two words the Old Testament uses again and again to describe who God is, and St. John says that in Jesus they came to us in person: “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
This is why St. Paul quotes the psalm when he explains that the Gospel is for all peoples (Romans 15:11), and why the Church sings it when she sends her missionaries and celebrates the universal call to holiness. A psalm of two verses becomes a prayer for the whole world.
How to pray the shortest psalm
- As a quick prayer of praise at any moment of the day, especially when you have little time.
- After receiving good news, as a short thanksgiving.
- For the missions, praying that every nation will come to know Christ.
- After Eucharistic adoration, as the Church sings it at the close of Benediction.
- As a family grace, since it is short enough for children to memorize.
What the psalm means
- All nations: the shortest psalm has the widest reach: every people is called to praise God.
- Mercy and truth: the two reasons for praise, God’s steadfast love and his faithfulness.
- A missionary psalm: St. Paul quotes it to show that the Gentiles are called to praise God (Romans 15:11).
- Part of the Hallel: it belongs to the psalms (113–118) sung at the Passover.
How the Church uses Psalm 117
- At Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, where Laudate Dominum omnes gentes is often sung at the end. See Benediction.
- At Mass on the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C): “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.”
- In music: the Laudate Dominum of Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore is one of his most beloved pieces.
A prayer with Psalm 117
Written for this page:
Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples.
Your mercy toward us is strong, O Lord,
and your faithfulness endures for ever.
Let every nation come to know and praise you. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortest psalm?
Psalm 117 (116 in the Douay-Rheims), with only two verses.
Is Psalm 117 the middle chapter of the Bible?
It is often said to be the middle chapter of the Protestant Bible; Catholic Bibles, with more books, have a different middle.
More psalms and prayers
- Psalm 100
- Psalm 150
- Psalms of praise
- Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
- How many psalms are there?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 116 (117); Romans 15:11, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.