Psalms 111: Praising God's Wonderful Works
Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalms 111 and 112 share a close connection, almost like companion pieces. Both are structured as acrostics, meaning each line in the original Hebrew begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This artistic structure highlights the completeness and comprehensiveness of the praise offered. In addition, much of the language and imagery found within these psalms echoes themes present in Proverbs and other Psalms. While Psalms 111 emphasizes praise for God's powerful acts in the past, Psalms 112 turns its attention to the blessings bestowed upon those who revere and worship the Lord.
A Heartfelt Hallelujah (111:1-3)
The psalm opens with a declaration of praise: a promise to give thanks to the Lord with all one's heart, publicly, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation (Psalms 111:1). To declare "Hallelujah" is to bestow boasting and honor on the Lord. This isn't a mere external or ritualistic act, but a wholehearted expression of gratitude. The psalmist's intention is to praise God publicly and wholeheartedly. The focus quickly shifts to the magnificent works of God. These acts are described as "great" and "studied by all who delight in them" (Psalms 111:2). The psalmist suggests that God's mighty works are splendid and majestic—they are even worthy of being studied for both their power and purpose. His works are honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever (Psalms 111:3). Creation demonstrates His power.
Remembering God's Covenant (111:4-9)
The psalmist recounts God’s wondrous works among his covenant members, including providing for them, giving them the inheritance of the nations, and redeeming them. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion (Psalms 111:4), and He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will always remember His covenant (Psalms 111:5). When the Lord makes a promise, He keeps it (Hebrews 6:17), caring for those with whom He has a covenant (Malachi 3:6; Deuteronomy 4:31). That included physical needs such as food (Deuteronomy 8:16). He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations (Psalms 111:6). The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure (Psalms 111:7). They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness (Psalms 111:8). He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name (Psalms 111:9). But it also extends to God providing (1 John 2:25) a means of salvation. The Lord is holy and awe-inspiring. He’s in a class by himself.
The Beginning of Wisdom (111:10)
The psalm concludes with a profound statement about the nature of true wisdom: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalms 111:10). In light of the glory of God, the psalmist concludes by describing the disposition that should characterize all true worshipers: the fear of the LORD. Only those who start with a proper respect for God as our Lord and Creator can grow in truthful wisdom. To take God seriously is the foundation of wisdom. This "fear" is not terror or panic, but is not merely respect. Rather, it implies a humble, reverent submission to His role as the Sovereign God. To be wise is to have a clear understanding of how to obey God’s commands in specific situations. Exercising such wisdom leads us to experience God at a deeper level, which should lead to even more praise.
Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalms 111 and 112 share a close connection, almost like companion pieces. Both are structured as acrostics, meaning each line in the original Hebrew begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This artistic structure highlights the completeness and comprehensiveness of the praise offered. In addition, much of the language and imagery found within these psalms echoes themes present in Proverbs and other Psalms. While Psalms 111 emphasizes praise for God's powerful acts in the past, Psalms 112 turns its attention to the blessings bestowed upon those who revere and worship the Lord.
A Heartfelt Hallelujah (111:1-3)
The psalm opens with a declaration of praise: a promise to give thanks to the Lord with all one's heart, publicly, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation (Psalms 111:1). To declare "Hallelujah" is to bestow boasting and honor on the Lord. This isn't a mere external or ritualistic act, but a wholehearted expression of gratitude. The psalmist's intention is to praise God publicly and wholeheartedly. The focus quickly shifts to the magnificent works of God. These acts are described as "great" and "studied by all who delight in them" (Psalms 111:2). The psalmist suggests that God's mighty works are splendid and majestic—they are even worthy of being studied for both their power and purpose. His works are honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever (Psalms 111:3). Creation demonstrates His power.
Remembering God's Covenant (111:4-9)
The psalmist recounts God’s wondrous works among his covenant members, including providing for them, giving them the inheritance of the nations, and redeeming them. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion (Psalms 111:4), and He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will always remember His covenant (Psalms 111:5). When the Lord makes a promise, He keeps it (Hebrews 6:17), caring for those with whom He has a covenant (Malachi 3:6; Deuteronomy 4:31). That included physical needs such as food (Deuteronomy 8:16). He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations (Psalms 111:6). The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure (Psalms 111:7). They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness (Psalms 111:8). He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name (Psalms 111:9). But it also extends to God providing (1 John 2:25) a means of salvation. The Lord is holy and awe-inspiring. He’s in a class by himself.
The Beginning of Wisdom (111:10)
The psalm concludes with a profound statement about the nature of true wisdom: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalms 111:10). In light of the glory of God, the psalmist concludes by describing the disposition that should characterize all true worshipers: the fear of the LORD. Only those who start with a proper respect for God as our Lord and Creator can grow in truthful wisdom. To take God seriously is the foundation of wisdom. This "fear" is not terror or panic, but is not merely respect. Rather, it implies a humble, reverent submission to His role as the Sovereign God. To be wise is to have a clear understanding of how to obey God’s commands in specific situations. Exercising such wisdom leads us to experience God at a deeper level, which should lead to even more praise.