Psalm 111:5

Verse 5. Meat. Literally, booty or spoil: the spoil ( Exodus 12:36 ) brought by Israel out of Egypt, as God had engaged by covenant to Abraham, Genesis 15:14 , They shall come out with great substance (Kimchi). Rather the manna and quails, which to the hungry people were like a booty thrown in their way. The word is used for "meat" in general, in Proverbs 31:15 ; Malachi 3:10 . --A. R. Fausset.

Verse 5. He hath given meat. I rather choose to render it portion, in which sense it is taken in Proverbs 30:8 31:15; as if he should say, that God has given his people all that was needful, and that, considered as a portion, it was large and liberal; for we know that the people of Israel were enriched, not in consequence of their own industry, but by the blessing of God, who, like the father of a family, bestows upon his household everything necessary for their subsistence. In the following clause of the verse, he assigns as the reason for his care and kindness his desire of effectually demonstrating that his covenant was not null and void. --John Calvin.

Verse 5. He will ever be mindful of his covenant. This clause would seem to be introduced parenthetically -- a passing thought, a happy thought, presenting itself spontaneously to the psalmist's mind, and immediately expressed with his lips. It will be observed it is in the future tense, while all the other clauses are in the past -- "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered"; "He hath given meat unto them that fear him"; "He will ever be mindful of his covenant"; not he hath ever been. Dwelling on these past favours of God to Israel, it is his joy to think that they were but partial fulfilments of a covenant promise, which still remained, and in its highest sense should remain for ever; and that covenant itself the memorial or type of the better, the spiritual covenant, the gospel. So out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh, and he celebrates God's promised truth to Israel as the memorial and pledge of his eternal faithfulness to the New Testament Israel, his blood ransomed church. --James H. Vidal.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 5. There is,