Psalms 113-118 The History of the Hallel Psalms
The Jews have been saying some kind of Hallel since the time of Moses, then David adapted it to the service of the Levites in the Temple and finally after the return from captivity it is all gathered together in
Psalms 113-118.
If any part of the book of Psalms may be considered more sacred than any another, especially to the Jewish people, it would probably be these six psalms from Psalms 113 to 118, which rabbinical literature refers to as “The Hallel” or sometimes “the Egyptian Hallel” while Psalms 120-136 and especially Psalms 136 is referred to as the Great Hallel in which every verse exhorts the reader to Psalms 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
At Passover and other feasts and Holy Days, these Hallel Psalms were sung, emphasizing the word that word Hallelujah over and over. Translated the word is, as we read in our English translations, Praise Ye The Lord.
Psalm 117 and 118 lay out the sacrificial offerings of Passover in song form. Psalm 117, which is the shortest of all the Psalms, acts as an introduction to Psalms 118.
Psalms 117 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.
The first thing we notice in Ps 117 is that it is a call for the universal praise to God from all nations. It stands out because it for all peoples and nations to praise the Lord God for his merciful kindness. This is the OT world for grace, the undeserved love and favor of God. Psalms 117 exhorts all people to praise God for His grace is great and His truth endures forever.
Secondly, we notice in Psalms 117:1 That we have two words for praise. This doesn’t stand out in English but it is plain in Hebrew. The first “praise” is the Hebrew word hallel from which we derive our word, “hallelujah” which means, “praise the Lord.” This praise has the idea of praising upward toward God. The second “praise” however is a different Hebrew word, shavah. This word also has the idea of praise, but our praise is directed outward towards others. It means “to boast, to extol, to laud.” Taking these together it means thanking God and then telling others.
And what do we tell them about God? It’s here in vs 1. We praise God for his merciful kindness, His grace, is great toward us, and His unfailing truth endures for ever. So, what you think of those two things, what else can you do but shout a Hallelujah, Praise the Lord just like Psalms 117 does at it ends.
As 117 ends and begins in Hallelujah. Psalms 118 continues the theme. In some older manuscripts Psalms 117 and 118 were put together as on Psalms and you can see why. The theme of praise runs through both and the same theme is found in all the Hallel Psalms.
