One reason the nations should praise the Lord is that He is high above all nations and His name is blessed. Psalm 113: 2-4 says, “2) Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 3) From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. 4) The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.” Some nations do not wish to praise the Lord. Their rulers take counsel together, and they say, “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” (See Psalm 2:3) But God warns them, “11) Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” (Psalm 2:11,12a) The nations that reject God and do not praise Him are in danger of perishing.
Why should the nations and the people praise the Lord? “His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.” Praise should be given to God because He is merciful. He is merciful to individuals and He is merciful to nations. Also, the truth of the Lord endures forever. God and His word are the source of absolute truth. It cannot be found anywhere else. The people and nations that forget God will be punished, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17) On the other hand, the people and nations that put their trust in the Lord and praise Him will be blessed. Psalm two, which gives warnings to the people and nations that reject God, ends with these encouraging words for those that trust Him, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2:12b)