Psalms 111

Psalms 111 begins with a call to praise the Lord with one's whole heart in the assembly. It extols God's great, honorable, and glorious works, emphasizing His enduring righteousness, graciousness, and compassion. The psalm concludes by declaring that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and His praise endures forever.

Psalms 111 opens with a fervent declaration to praise the Lord wholeheartedly within the congregation of the upright. The psalmist proclaims the greatness and honor of God's works, noting that they are sought out by those who delight in them, and His righteousness endures perpetually. The Lord is described as gracious and full of compassion, having made His wonderful deeds memorable and providing for those who fear Him, ever mindful of His covenant. He demonstrated His power to His people, granting them the heritage of the heathen. Furthermore, His works are characterized by truth and judgment, and His commandments are steadfast, established in truth and uprightness. The psalm culminates by asserting that the fear of the Lord is the foundational principle of wisdom, leading to good understanding for those who obey His precepts, and His praise is eternal.

Psalms 111 commences with a direct exhortation to "Praise ye the LORD," followed by the psalmist's personal commitment to praise Him with his "whole heart" within both the assembly of the upright and the broader congregation. The psalm immediately shifts to extolling the divine attributes, declaring that "The works of the LORD are great," and are diligently "sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." It further elaborates that God's "work is honourable and glorious," and His "righteousness endureth for ever." The psalmist highlights God's benevolent nature, stating that "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered," and that "the LORD is gracious and full of compassion." This compassion is evident in His provision, as "He hath given meat unto them that fear him," and His faithfulness, for "he will ever be mindful of his covenant." The psalm then points to God's historical intervention, noting that "He hath shewed his people the power of his works," specifically "that he may give them the heritage of the heathen." The divine actions are characterized by integrity, as "The works of his hands are verity and judgment," and His "commandments are sure." These commandments are presented as eternally stable, standing "fast for ever and ever," and executed "in truth and uprightness." The theme of redemption is introduced, affirming that "He sent redemption unto his people," and "he hath commanded his covenant for ever," culminating in the declaration that "holy and reverend is his name." The psalm concludes with a profound theological statement: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," asserting that "a good understanding have all they that do his commandments," and reiterating that "his praise endureth for ever."