Does Psalm 117 conflict with other biblical passages that imply exclusivity or a chosen people, such as Deuteronomy 7:6, and if so, how?

Overview of the Question

Does Psalm 117, which calls “all you nations” and “all you peoples” to praise God, conflict with passages such as Deuteronomy 7:6 that depict Israel as God’s chosen people? This entry explores the apparent tension between the universality of worship expressed in Psalm 117 and the exclusivity language found in Deuteronomy and other passages. It will demonstrate that the two perspectives complement rather than contradict one another.

Psalm 117 in Context

Psalm 117 reads:

“Praise the LORD, all you nations!

Extol Him, all you peoples!

For great is His loving devotion toward us,

and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

Hallelujah!”

This brief psalm is notable for its universal call. It is the shortest psalm, yet it has a wide scope, summoning “all you nations” to praise the LORD. The text highlights God’s covenant faithfulness (“loving devotion”) and invites everyone to acknowledge His enduring character.

Deuteronomy 7:6 and the Chosen People

Deuteronomy 7:6 states:

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession above all peoples on the face of the earth.”

This presents Israel as a nation set apart to belong uniquely to God. Passages like this (and others, such as Exodus 19:5–6) appear to indicate exclusivity: Israel is singled out for a special covenant relationship with God. Yet the immediate purpose of Israel’s election was never to exclude the rest of humanity from knowing God but rather to be a channel through whom blessings would extend to all.

Apparent Tension: Universality vs. Exclusivity

1. Universal Worship in Scripture

Many passages call the entire world to honor God. For example, Isaiah 45:22 proclaims: “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.” This vision of global praise matches the broader scriptural trajectory that one day every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:10–11).

2. National Election in Scripture

The Old Testament plainly indicates that Israel is given a unique status among nations. They are entrusted with God’s laws, covenants, and promises (Romans 9:4). This special role, however, is not about Israel being exclusively favored to the exclusion of others but functioning as a “light for the nations” (Isaiah 49:6).

The question, then, is whether Psalm 117’s open invitation contradicts Israel’s distinctive identity.

Harmonizing the Two Passages

1. Israel as a Conduit of Blessing

From the earliest biblical record, the chosen family and nation were meant to bring blessings to every family “on earth” (Genesis 12:3). In this sense, Israel’s special relationship with God was to serve a wider redemptive plan involving all humankind. Psalm 117 fulfills that vision by directly inviting all nations to praise God.

2. Complementary Themes, Not Contrary

There is no contradiction between Psalm 117’s inclusivity and Deuteronomy 7:6’s exclusivity, because each underscores a different facet of the same divine plan. Deuteronomy 7:6 emphasizes the special responsibilities given to Israel, while Psalm 117 reminds us that God remains the God of all people.

3. Purpose of the Chosen People

The idea of a chosen people is linked to mission and calling rather than privilege alone. While Deuteronomy underscores holiness and identity, Psalm 117 draws the circle of worship around all nations, illustrating how Israel’s calling is part of a far-reaching design.

Historical and Archaeological Insights

Archaeological findings, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, have confirmed that these passages as we read them today have been remarkably preserved over centuries, demonstrating coherence in Israel’s covenant theology. The textual evidence among Hebrew manuscripts consistently shows how the call to praise God extends across national lines without undermining Israel’s chosen status.

In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, most nations held to regional deities connected only to their local tribe. By contrast, biblical writings uniquely affirm God as Creator and Ruler over every people group while still working through Israel as His covenant community.

The Unified Biblical Message

Throughout Scripture, God is shown to be God of all nations (Psalm 22:27), delivering a message that invites universal worship while still acknowledging a unique covenant with Israel. In the New Testament, this universality is further magnified by the inclusion of Gentiles (Ephesians 3:6). Thus, Psalm 117’s vision of everyone praising God aligns fully with the broader biblical narrative.

Conclusion

Psalm 117 and Deuteronomy 7:6 do not conflict. Rather, they present complementary dimensions of God’s redemptive plan: Israel is specifically chosen to serve, protect, and proclaim God’s truth, while God’s loving devotion is designed to encompass all nations. Each passage highlights a part of the same overarching storyline—one in which God faithfully works through a chosen people to extend His invitation to every corner of the earth.