Romans 15:9-12
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The verse highlights that the Gentiles are called to glorify God specifically "for his mercy." This emphasizes that their inclusion in God's plan wasn't based on prior promises like Israel's, but was a demonstration of God's pure, unmerited grace toward them, which they are uniquely positioned to celebrate.
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.” And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case for unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, showing how the Old Testament itself prophesied God's inclusive plan of salvation. He's demonstrating that the Gentiles' inclusion isn't a new idea, but a fulfillment of God's ancient promises, ultimately meant to bring all people to glorify Him. This verse, quoting Psalm 18, serves to illustrate how this praise would extend beyond Israel to encompass the nations.
Ever wondered why the Old Testament focused so much on God's promises to Israel? It's a crucial part of understanding how God's plan unfolded for everyone.
A Tale of Two Responses
God's relationship with the Jewish people was built on covenant and promise. They knew God as the One who faithfully kept His word, fulfilling the commitments made to Abraham and their ancestors. So, when they experienced God's blessings, their praise often focused on His faithfulness and truth in upholding those ancient promises.
But for the Gentiles – those outside the covenant family – their journey to God was different. They hadn't inherited specific promises. Their inclusion in God's plan was a demonstration of His pure grace and boundless mercy. This verse highlights that the Gentiles' praise would rightly ascend to God specifically for this amazing act of mercy, welcoming them based not on their history, but on His compassionate heart.
The Old Testament prophecy quoted here was spoken by David. How does it point forward to Jesus and the Gentiles' role in worship?
Praising God Through the Messiah
The apostle Paul pulls a powerful statement from Psalm 18:49: 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.' He presents this not just as a future prediction, but as something accomplishes.
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Think of David, the psalmist, as a forerunner, a type of Christ. When David sang of praising God among the Gentiles, he was anticipating the Messiah. Jesus, in His ministry and through His atoning work, breaks down the barriers between Jew and Gentile. He becomes the center where both can approach God.
So, when the Gentiles praise God, they are doing so through Christ. He is the one who opens the way for them, who receives their worship, and in whose person their praises are offered. He is the one who gathers all peoples to Himself, enabling them to glorify God together.
Understand the original words
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.
aineete · Greek Verb
To express admiration, honor, or glory to God; a response to God’s nature and works. In Scripture, it is a primary duty of believers and all creation.
ethne · Greek Noun
Nations or peoples other than the Jewish people; the non-Jewish world. In the New Testament, it signifies the inclusion of all nations in the salvation plan of God.
rhiza Iessai · Hebrew/Greek Noun phrase
A metaphorical title referring to the Messiah (Jesus Christ), highlighting His descent from the lineage of Jesse, the father of King David, thereby fulfilling messianic prophecy.
elpizō · Greek Verb
A confident expectation or trust in God’s future promises. It is not mere wishful thinking but a firm reliance on God’s faithfulness.
Paul’s argument in Romans 15:9 relies on Old Testament texts, particularly Psalm 18, which were written centuries before the Gentiles' inclusion in God's plan. His interpretation shows that God’s merciful outreach to the nations was part of His long-term vision, not an afterthought.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Psalm 18
King David, a key figure in Israel's history, writes Psalm 18 (also found in 2 Samuel 22) recounting his deliverance by God and praising Him. The apostle Paul later interprets this psalm as ultimately pointing to Christ and His future praise among the Gentiles.
c. 700 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy of Gentile Hope
The prophet Isaiah foretells a future ruler from the line of Jesse (understood by Christians as the Messiah) who will 'rise as a signal to the nations' and in whom the Gentiles will place their hope.
c. 150 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek (the Septuagint or LXX), making them accessible to a wider Hellenistic audience. This translation is what Paul often quotes in his letters.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry and the Early Church
Jesus Christ fulfills Old Testament prophecies, and the early church, initially Jewish, begins to understand and embrace God's plan to include Gentiles in salvation through faith in Christ.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul Writes Romans
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the Romans, explaining the gospel of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles and urging Jewish believers to welcome Gentile believers into the community of faith.
This passage directly calls for all nations to praise God, echoing the sentiment in Romans 15:9 that the Gentiles will glorify God for His mercy, showing this was an Old Testament expectation.
Isaiah 11:10This prophecy, quoted by Paul, speaks of a root from Jesse arising to reign over the Gentiles, in whom they will hope, directly linking the Messiah's mission to the glorification of God by the nations.
Deuteronomy 32:43This verse, also referenced by Paul in Romans 15:10, calls for the nations (Gentiles) to rejoice with God's people, highlighting their inclusion in God's plan of salvation and praise from the beginning.
Psalm 67:2-5This psalm expresses the desire that God's ways and saving power be known among all nations, praying that they will be glad and sing for joy because God judges the peoples with equity and guides the nations on earth, aligning with the theme of Gentile praise.
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 the Gentiles are called to glorify God specifically "for his mercy." This emphasizes that their inclusion in God's plan wasn't based on prior promises like Israel's, but was a demonstration of God's pure, unmerited grace toward them, which they are uniquely positioned to celebrate.
Paul is building his case for unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, showing how the Old Testament itself prophesied God's inclusive plan of salvation. He's demonstrating that the Gentiles' inclusion isn't a new idea, but a fulfillment of God's ancient promises, ultimately meant to bring all people to glorify Him. This verse, quoting Psalm 18, serves to illustrate how this praise would extend beyond Israel to encompass the nations.
Paul is building his case for unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, showing how the Old Testament itself prophesied God's inclusive plan of salvation. He's demonstrating that the Gentiles' inclusion isn't a new idea, but a fulfillment of God's ancient promises, ultimately meant to bring all people to glorify Him. This verse, quoting Psalm 18, serves to illustrate how this praise would extend beyond Israel to encompass the nations.
"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.” And again it says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And aga…" — The verse highlights that the Gentiles are called to glorify God specifically "for his mercy." This emphasizes that their inclusion in God's plan wasn't based on prior promises like Israel's, but was…
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Last reviewed October 2026