Psalms 111

1 Hallelujah! I will celebrate Jehovah with [my] whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of Jehovah; sought out of all that delight in them.

3 His work is majesty and splendour, and his righteousness abideth for ever.

4 He hath made his wonders to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful.

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6 He hath shewn his people the power of his works, to give them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are truth and judgment; all his precepts are faithful:

8 Maintained for ever and ever, done in truth and uprightness.

9 He sent deliverance unto his people; he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and terrible is his name.

10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do [his precepts]: his praise abideth for ever.

Psalms 111 Commentary

Chapter 111

The Lord is to be praised for his works.

- The psalmist resolves to praise God himself. Our exhortations and our examples should agree together. He recommends the works of the Lord, as the proper subject, when we are praising him; and the dealings of his providence toward the world, the church, and particular persons. All the works of the Lord are spoken of as one, it is his work; so admirably do all the dispensations of his providence centre in one design. The works of God, humbly and diligently sought into, shall all be found just and holy. God's pardoning sin is the most wonderful of all his works, and ought to be remembered to his glory. He will ever be mindful of his covenant; he has ever been so, and he ever will be so. His works of providence were done according to the truth of the Divine promises and prophecies, and so were verity, or truth; and by him who has a right to dispose of the earth as he pleases, and so are judgment, or righteous: and this holds good ( psalms 111:7-8 ) God's commandments are sure; all have been fulfilled by Christ, and remain with him for a rule of walk and conversation to us. He sent redemption unto his people, out of Egypt at first, and often afterwards; and these were typical of the great redemption, which in the fulness of time was to be wrought out by the Lord Jesus. Here his everlasting righteousness shines forth in union with his boundless mercy. No man is wise who does not fear the Lord; no man acts wisely except as influenced by that fear. This fear will lead to repentance, to faith in Christ, to watchfulness and obedience. Such persons are of a good understanding, however poor, unlearned, or despised.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'He hath established a memorial of his wonderful works.'
• [b]. Or 'justice.'
• [c]. Or 'redemption.'

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 111

This psalm, though without a name, is thought to be penned by David; it is composed in an artificial manner, in an alphabetical order, each clause or sentence beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in course, till the whole is finished; this perhaps was done to recommend the psalm, to make it more observed, and to help the memory; the general design of it is to excite to praise the Lord, from the consideration of his great and wonderful works.