Unknown
Psalm 111
Unknown
Scripture (KJV)
1Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9He sent redemption unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Summary
Psalm 111 is an acrostic hymn of praise that extols the works of the Lord as great, honorable, glorious, and eternal. The psalmist vows to praise the Lord with his whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation, then meditates on the works that are “sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.” God’s works are remembered because He is gracious and full of compassion; He gives meat to those who fear Him, remembers His covenant, shows His people the power of His works, and gives them the heritage of the nations. His commandments are sure, standing fast forever in truth and uprightness.
The climax comes in verse 9—“He sent redemption unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name”—and verse 10, one of Scripture’s great wisdom sayings: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.” The major themes are praise, God’s works, covenant, redemption, and the fear of the Lord. Practically, the psalm teaches that study of God’s works leads to worship, and that reverence is the doorway to understanding. The great lesson is that those who delight in God’s works find that His praise endures forever.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 111
Praise the Lord! I will praise You with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. Your works are great, and I take pleasure in seeking them out. Your work is honorable and glorious, and Your righteousness endures forever. You are gracious and full of compassion, giving meat to those who fear You and ever mindful of Your covenant. You have shown Your people the power of Your works and given us the heritage of the nations. Your commandments are sure, standing fast in truth and uprightness. You sent redemption to Your people and commanded Your covenant forever; holy and reverend is Your name. Give me the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, and a good understanding as I do Your commandments. Let Your praise endure forever on my lips. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1Which of God’s “wonderful works” have I been remembering this week?
- 2How does the fear of the Lord serve as the beginning of wisdom in my life?
- 3What does it mean to seek out God’s works with pleasure?
- 4How can I praise the Lord “with my whole heart” in the congregation?
Related Psalms
Psalm 112
“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”
Psalm 112 is an acrostic wisdom psalm that mirrors Psalm 111 in form and theme, tracing the blessings of the person who fears the Lord and delights greatly in His commandments.
Read morePsalm 103
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”
Psalm 103 is a soaring hymn of thanksgiving for God’s mercies.
Read morePsalm 104
“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.”
Psalm 104 is a majestic hymn of creation that echoes Genesis 1, portraying the Lord as very great, clothed with light, stretching out the heavens like a curtain, and riding the clouds as His chariot.
Read morePsalm 105
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”
Psalm 105 is a historical hymn that recounts God’s faithfulness to His covenant from Abraham to the conquest of Canaan.
Read morePsalm 145
“I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.”
Psalm 145 is an acrostic of praise, the only psalm titled "David’s Psalm of praise," and the gateway to the final doxology of the Psalter (Psalms 145-150).
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