and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that for Gentiles, their salvation isn't primarily about God fulfilling a prior covenant, but about experiencing His pure, astounding mercy. This mercy is so profound that it invites them to respond not just with thanks, but with a praise that reaches "among the Gentiles," meaning it originates from and celebrates God's goodness within their own communities.
and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining why Christ came, not just to fulfill promises made to Israel, but also to bring God's mercy to the Gentiles. He's using Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate that God's plan always included all nations. This verse is the first of several quotes proving that the Gentiles, who had no prior covenant, would now be brought in to glorify God for His grace.
Why did Paul link the Gentiles glorifying God specifically to His mercy? What made their praise unique?
Paul emphasizes that while Jews rightly praised God for His faithfulness in fulfilling promises, the Gentiles' inclusion was a pure act of God's undeserved favor – His mercy. They didn't have ancient covenants paving the way; their salvation was an extraordinary demonstration of God's boundless grace. This mercy is the very reason they could now join in worship, not out of obligation, but out of sheer gratitude for a gift they hadn't earned.
How could Paul quote Old Testament David, a Jew, to speak about Gentiles praising God?
Paul skillfully uses Psalm 18:49 (LXX) to show that God's plan for praise was always bigger than just Israel. When David declared, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing to your name,' Paul interprets this not just as David's personal testimony, but as a prophetic declaration of Christ's future work. Christ, as the head of the unified church, would embody this praise among and for the Gentiles. So, the Gentiles 'singing' is fulfilling a praise that Christ Himself, through David's words, anticipated.
Understand the original words
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ethnos · Greek Noun
Refers to all nations and peoples other than the Jewish people; in the New Testament, it signifies those who were formerly outside the covenant of Israel but have been brought into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
eleos · Greek Noun
The compassion, kindness, or goodwill shown by God to those who are in misery or in need of salvation, despite their lack of merit. It is a central attribute of God that moves Him to act for the deliverance of His people.
This verse draws on Old Testament prophecies and Psalms, written centuries before, to establish that God's plan from the beginning included Gentiles glorifying Him. This was a radical concept for many Jews, who saw themselves as God's unique people, highlighting the 'mercy' shown to Gentiles as a distinct act of God's grace.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Psalm 18
King David, facing numerous enemies, composes Psalm 18 as a song of thanksgiving and deliverance. In this psalm, David anticipates praising God not only among Israel but also among the Gentile nations.
c. 700 BC
Prophecy of Isaiah
The prophet Isaiah foretells a future 'root of Jesse' (the Messiah) who will 'rise to reign over the Gentiles,' and in whom 'the Gentiles shall hope.' This points to a future inclusion of non-Jews in God's salvation plan.
c. 600 BC
Deuteronomy and Psalm 117
The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy) and the Psalms continue to speak of God's universal sovereignty and the praise due to Him from all nations, hinting at a future where Gentiles share in God's blessings.
c. 500 BC - 1st Century BC
Jewish Interpretation on Gentile Praise
Some Jewish traditions, like those mentioned in the Megillah, suggest that after the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Gentiles were excluded from praising God. However, this view began to shift, especially after the exile, with a growing recognition of Gentile inclusion.
c. 300 BC
Septuagint Translation of Psalms
The Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint) renders Psalm 18:49 with phrasing that Paul directly quotes, emphasizing God being praised 'among the Gentiles.' This translation made the Old Testament more accessible to Hellenistic Jews and Gentiles.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Ascension
Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises to Israel, and His ministry, death, and resurrection lay the foundation for salvation to be extended to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. His ascension marks the beginning of the Church's mission.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
The Apostle Paul actively preaches the Gospel to the Gentiles, facing opposition from some Jewish believers. His letters, including Romans, address the theological implications of Gentiles being included in God's people without becoming Jews.
This psalm is a direct call for all nations to praise God, reinforcing the idea that God's mercy and glory are for Gentiles as well as Jews.
Isaiah 11:10This prophecy speaks of a root from Jesse (the Messiah) who will stand as a signal to the nations, and in him the Gentiles will hope, highlighting their inclusion in God's redemptive plan.
Deuteronomy 32:43This verse commands the nations to rejoice with God's people, foreshadowing the unity and shared praise between Jews and Gentiles in God's kingdom.
Psalm 67:2This psalm expresses the desire for God's ways to be known on earth and His saving power among all nations, directly aligning with the theme of Gentiles glorifying God.
ellicottRomans 15:9: "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
(9) For his mercy. —On account of His mercy. The Jews had their covenant to appeal to, and the attributes of God most clearly brought home to them in Christianity was His veracity in fulfilling the promises contained in this covenant. The Gentiles had no such covenant, and their admission to the blessings of Christianity was an…
jfbRomans 15:9: "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
- that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy—A number of quotations from the Old Testament here follow, to show that God's plan of mercy embraced, from the first, the Gentiles along with the Jews.as it is written—(Ps 18:49).I will confess to—that is, glorifythee among the Gentiles.
The verse highlights that for Gentiles, their salvation isn't primarily about God fulfilling a prior covenant, but about experiencing His pure, astounding mercy. This mercy is so profound that it invites them to respond not just with thanks, but with a praise that reaches "among the Gentiles," meaning it originates from and celebrates God's goodness within their own communities.
Paul is explaining why Christ came, not just to fulfill promises made to Israel, but also to bring God's mercy to the Gentiles. He's using Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate that God's plan always included all nations. This verse is the first of several quotes proving that the Gentiles, who had no prior covenant, would now be brought in to glorify God for His grace.
Paul is explaining why Christ came, not just to fulfill promises made to Israel, but also to bring God's mercy to the Gentiles. He's using Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate that God's plan always included all nations. This verse is the first of several quotes proving that the Gentiles, who had no prior covenant, would now be brought in to glorify God for His grace.
"and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”" — The verse highlights that for Gentiles, their salvation isn't primarily about God fulfilling a prior covenant, but about experiencing His pure, astounding *mercy*. This mercy is so profound that it i…
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Last reviewed October 2026