Psalm 111
BSB
Majestic Is His Work
1Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3Splendid and majestic is His work;
His righteousness endures forever.
4He has caused His wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5He provides food for those who fear Him;
He remembers His covenant forever.
6He has shown His people the power of His works
by giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7The works of His hands are truth and justice;
all His precepts are trustworthy.
8They are upheld forever and ever,
enacted in truth and uprightness.
9He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
holy and awesome is His name.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Introduction
Psalms 111
This and divers of the psalms that follow it seem to have been penned by David for the service of the church in their solemn feasts, and not upon any particular occasion. This is a psalm of praise. The title of it is "Hallelujah - Praise you the Lord," intimating that we must address ourselves to the use of this psalm with hearts disposed to praise God. It is composed alphabetically, each sentence beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order exactly, two sentences to each verse, and three a piece to the last two. The psalmist, exhorting to praise God, I. Sets himself for an example (Psa 111:1). II. Furnishes us with matter for praise from the works of God. 1. The greatness of his works and the glory of them. 2. The righteousness of them. 3. The goodness of them. 4. The power of them. 5. The conformity of them to his word of promise. 6. The perpetuity of them. These observations are intermixed (Psa 111:2-9). III. He recommends the holy fear of God, and conscientious obedience to his commands, as the most acceptable way of praising God (Psa 111:10).
Cross-references: Ps 111:1 · Ps 111:2 · Ps 111:10