Psalm 117 is the last of series of 11 (107 - 117) which is considered to form a consistent whole (the First Group of Eleven). It is unusually short, most probably because the kabbalistics at work in the group of 11 required only a limited number of words. The Hebrew text contains only 15 words.
1 Alleluja. Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes; laudate eum, omnes populi.
2 Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus, et veritas Domini manet
in aeternum.
Luther's translation
German text
1 Lobet den HERRN, alle Heiden; preiset ihn, alle Völker!
2 Denn seine Gnade und Wahrheit waltet über uns in Ewigkeit. Halleluja!
Statenbijbel (1637)
Dutch text
1 Looft den HEERE, alle heidenen; prijst Hem, alle natiën!
2 Want Zijn goedertierenheid is geweldig over ons, en de waarheid des HEEREN is in der eeuwigheid! Hallelujah!
Káldi fordítás
Hungarian text
1 Alleluja! Dicsérjétek az Urat, minden nemzetek! dicsérjétek őt, minden népek!
2 mert megerősödött rajtunk az ő irgalmassága, és az Úr igazvolta mindörökké megmarad.
Church of England 1662 Book of Common Prayer
English text
1 O praise the Lord, all ye heathen: praise him, all ye nations.
2 For his merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord.
King James Version
English text
1 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.
Another English translation
English translation
1 Praise the Lord, all nations; praise him, all peoples.
2 Certain is his love and mercy for us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Another English translation, as used by William Byrd
English translation
1 Praise our Lord, all ye Gentiles; praise him, all ye people:
2 Because his mercy is confirmed upon us, and his truth remaineth for ever.
O all ye nations of the world,
Praise ye the Lord always;
And all ye people everywhere
Set forth his noble praise:
For great his kindness is to us,
His truth doth not decay;
Wherefore praise ye the Lord our God,
Praise ye the Lord alway.
Metrical Paraphrase (Isaac Watts, 1719)
English text
VERSION 1. (C. M.)
O all ye nations, praise the Lord,
Each with a different tongue;
In every language learn his word,
And let his name be sung.
His mercy reigns through every land;
Proclaim his grace abroad;
For ever firm his truth shall stand
Praise ye the faithful God.
VERSION 2. (L. M.)
From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise;
Let the Redeemer's name be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord,
Eternal truth attends Thy word;
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more.