What does Psalms Chapter 116 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

All nations and people are called to praise. Mercy is confirmed upon us in the speaker’s words. The Lord’s truth is declared forever.

Chapter breakdown

Laudate Dominum is the incipit, with a heading calling all nations to praise for mercy and truth, followed by Alleluia. The speaker calls all nations to praise the Lord and all people to praise Him.

The reason given is that His mercy is confirmed upon us and His truth remains forever. Upon us retains the speaker’s scope; no gathered assembly, historic expansion event, particular promise or universal protection guarantee is added to the two verses.

The story inside

Opening: All nations and people are called to praise. Development: Mercy is confirmed upon us in the speaker’s words. Conclusion: The Lord’s truth is declared forever.

Lessons worth keeping

1
All nations and people are called to praise.
2
Mercy is confirmed upon us in the speaker’s words.
3
The Lord’s truth is declared forever.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 65230–65230
116:1. O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Lines 65232–65233
116:2. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.