Psalms111
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 Yahweh’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them.
3 His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful.
5 He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure.
8 They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Study
Psalms 111Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 111. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Lord is to be praised for his works. (1-10).
vv1-10
—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 of the work of grace upon the heart of man, verses 7, 8. All 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.
Key Words
הָלַל: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify
יָדָה: physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֵבָב: the heart (as the most interior organ);
סוֹד: a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret
יָשָׁר: straight (literally or figuratively)
עֵדָה: a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
מַעֲשֶׂה: an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
דָּרַשׁ: properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
Cross References
Psalms 111Direct parallel teaching that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge.
Supported by JFB
Keeping God's commandments demonstrates understanding and wisdom to those who observe.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Classic wisdom text equating the fear of the Lord with wisdom and departing from evil.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The immediate companion alphabetic Psalm, linking praise with the fear of the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the foundational self-revelation of God as gracious, merciful, and full of compassion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reinforces that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Supported by JFB
Affirms that God's commandments and law stand fast and will not pass away.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Zacharias blesses God for visiting and sending redemption, fulfilling covenant promises.
Supported by Matthew Henry