Psalm 111

1 Lobet Jehova! Preisen will ich Jehova von ganzem Herzen im Kreise der Aufrichtigen und in der Gemeinde.

2 Groß sind die Taten Jehovas, sie werden erforscht von allen, die Lust an ihnen haben.

3 Majestät und Pracht ist sein Tun; und seine Gerechtigkeit besteht ewiglich.

4 Er hat ein Gedächtnis gestiftet seinen Wundertaten; gnädig und barmherzig ist Jehova.

5 Er hat Speise gegeben denen, die ihn fürchten; er gedenkt in Ewigkeit seines Bundes.

6 Er hat seinem Volke kundgemacht die Kraft seiner Taten, um ihnen zu geben das Erbteil der Nationen.

7 Die Taten seiner Hände sind Wahrheit und Recht; zuverlässig sind alle seine Vorschriften,

8 festgestellt auf immer, auf ewig, ausgeführt in Wahrheit und Geradheit.

9 Er hat Erlösung gesandt seinem Volke, seinen Bund verordnet auf ewig; heilig und furchtbar ist sein Name.

10 Die Furcht Jehovas ist der Weisheit Anfang; gute Einsicht haben alle, die sie ausüben. Sein Lob besteht ewiglich.

Psalm 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.

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.