If Psalm 117:1 calls all nations to praise God, why does historical evidence suggest that many cultures never worshiped the Hebrew God at all?

Scriptural Foundation: The Universal Call in Psalm 117:1

Psalm 117:1 declares, “Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!” This passage calls every corner of the world—regardless of language, geography, or culture—to worship the one true God. The brief nature of this psalm accentuates a universal summons, asserting that praise is due not solely from ancient Israel but from all nations. Such a sweeping invitation underscores God’s rightful authority over all creation.

Reconciling the Historical Record with the Universal Call

Historical accounts reveal innumerable cultures and societies that did not knowingly worship the God of the Scriptures. Artifacts, temple ruins, and mythologies often indicate worship of local deities or nature-based gods. On the surface, this appears to contradict Psalm 117:1’s call for all nations to praise Him.

Rather than disproving the biblical message, such cultural differences highlight humanity’s divergence from the original knowledge of God. The apostle Paul states: “For what may be known about God is plain to them…being understood from His workmanship” (Romans 1:19–20). Even with this universal call and revelation, Scripture attests that people often chose idols and false worship, illustrating human propensity to stray from true worship (Romans 1:22–23).

The Biblical Explanation for Divergent Worship

Throughout Genesis, we see that humanity was unified in its ancestral knowledge of God. Later genealogies, including those famously cataloged to support a young-earth timeline, trace humanity from Adam to Noah and beyond (see Genesis 5; 11). The biblical account suggests that all peoples shared an original awareness of the Creator. After the events at Babel (Genesis 11:1–9), humanity dispersed, and collective worship fragmented into myriad beliefs.

This dispersion did not negate the universal expectation to praise God. Instead, the biblical narrative presents both God’s sovereignty and mankind’s free moral agency. Many cultures chose paths that obscured the Creator, yet Scripture consistently reasserts a universal call to know and honor Him (Psalm 19:1–4).

Divine Revelation and the Testimony of Creation

Nature itself testifies to a Creator. Psalm 19:1 affirms, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Scientists exploring the fine-tuning of the universe often point to specific constants (e.g., gravitational and electromagnetic forces) that permit life. Such precision supports intelligent design, aligning with the biblical claim that a divine mind orchestrated creation.

Though many cultures historically did not worship the God of Israel by name, their mythologies often featured flood stories, sky-father figures, or moral codes reminiscent of biblical teaching. This echoes the apostle Paul’s argument on Mars Hill, where he connected the Athenians’ unknown god to the one true God (Acts 17:22–23). Such cross-cultural echoes suggest residual memories of an original truth, though diluted or hidden beneath layers of pagan practices.

Archaeological and Historical Convergences

• Dead Sea Scrolls (mid-20th-century discovery): These manuscripts corroborate the textual integrity of the Hebrew Scriptures, showing that the Old Testament, including the Psalms, has been faithfully preserved across centuries.

• Josephus’ Writings (1st century AD): Although he wrote for a Greco-Roman audience, Josephus’ accounts confirm many historical and cultural details of the Old Testament era, reinforcing Scripture’s historical reliability.

• Ancient Flood Narratives (e.g., Epic of Gilgamesh): These global accounts point to an event that drastically impacted myriad cultures, consistent with the biblical Flood. Such narratives, while varied, exhibit a shared memory that resonates with Genesis.

From a young-earth perspective, drawing on biblical genealogies, these sources align with a creation timeline that is significantly shorter than that proposed by prevailing evolutionary models. Proponents of intelligent design underscore these convergences as evidence that an eternal God created the world in a manner consistent with Scripture’s testimony.

God’s Ongoing Witness Through His People

Through Israel, God intended to bless “all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3). The prophets repeatedly envision nations streaming to worship the LORD (Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 8:22). While historical records highlight idolatrous systems, the biblical narrative describes an unbroken strand of faithful worship from Abraham to the Messiah—Jesus Christ.

After Christ’s resurrection, the apostles carried the good news worldwide, fulfilling Jesus’ mandate to “preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins…to all nations” (Luke 24:47). Though not every culture was immediately reached, scriptural prophecies anticipate a future culmination in which multitudes from every tribe and nation will worship God (Revelation 7:9).

Why the Call Still Stands

The biblical message holds that God’s mercy is extended in every era. Psalm 117:2 follows with, “For great is His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah!” Even where certain cultures historically did not consciously endorse the Hebrew God, Scripture’s universal summons remains in effect, sustained both by specific revelation through the Word and by the general testimony of creation.

Human forgetfulness, cultural seclusion, or deliberate rebellion does not alter God’s sovereign intent. Those who respond in faith become part of His redeemed people (Romans 10:12–13). Today, missionary work and translations of Scripture continue making inroads worldwide, thus echoing the psalmist’s declaration.

Fulfillment in the Gospel: Extending the Call to All Nations

The New Testament reveals that Christ’s death and resurrection secured salvation for all who believe. The resurrection itself stands as a cornerstone, historically supported by multiple strands of evidence—empty tomb narratives, eyewitness testimonies (1 Corinthians 15:5–8), and radical transformations in early believers’ lives. Scholars examining the manuscript tradition agree that the core truths of the resurrection accounts have been preserved with remarkable accuracy.

This resurrection event upholds the universal message: the call in Psalm 117:1 is not isolated to Israel but finds fulfillment in Christ’s victory over sin and death. While past generations may not have fully recognized the Hebrew God, the crescendo of Scripture underscores that God’s ultimate purpose is to draw people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9).

Conclusion

Psalm 117:1 resonates across time, proclaiming God’s rightful worship from all peoples. Though historical records show many cultures did not historically acknowledge the God of Scripture by name, the Bible explains this divergence through mankind’s drift from the original revelation and through humanity’s free moral choice to suppress truth.

Yet, God’s invitation remains unchanging. Creation itself points to a Designer, consistent biblical manuscripts affirm the historicity of Scripture, and the risen Christ proves God’s redemptive power. All nations are called to honor Him, reflecting His desire that none remain unaware of His truth. Thus, even where worship has been misplaced or neglected, Psalm 117:1 stands secure as an enduring invitation for every generation and culture to “Praise the LORD.”