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Psalm 111
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King James Version of the
Bible
1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my
whole heart, in
the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great,
sought out of all them
that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is
honourable and glorious: and his
righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD
is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be
mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he
may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are
verity and judgment; all his
commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are
done in truth
and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath
commanded his
covenant for ever: holy and
reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom: a good
understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.1
Bible Commentary 1. Praise ye the Lord.
Heb. halelu Yak, the expression from which "hallelujah" is derived.
This seems to serve as a title to those of the later Psalms, which, like this,
set forth God's gracious government and its blessed fruits.2,3
Whole heart. This psalm
claims the whole heart (Ps 86:12), and is rendered publicly.2
Upright. A title of the true Israel (Ps 32:11).2
2. His works. That is, of providence and
grace are sought--or, carefully studied, by all desiring to know them.2
Sought out. The details of God's handiwork are not always apparent to the casual observer. They must be explored and discovered by eager study. As the miner digs in the earth to find its riches, so the works of God yield their treasure to him who is willing to dig for it.3
3. Work. Either all his works, or that
eminent branch of those works, his providence towards his people.4
Honourable and glorious.
Literally, "honour and majesty," which illustrate His glorious
perfections.2
Righteousness. His justice or faithfulness in performing his word.4
4. To be remembered. The clause reads
literally, "He made a memorial [or "remembrance," or "mention"] for his wonderful works." The Sabbath is a memorial of creation. The memorial was held sacred by patriarchs and prophets. God reiterated and re-emphasized the sanctity of the Sabbath when He proclaimed His holy law from Sinai (Ex. 20:8-11). When here on earth Christ worshiped in the synagogue on the Sabbath day (see Mark 1:21; Luke 4:16).3
5. Meat. Heb. tereph, "food." As God made provision for Israel's wants in the wilderness by providing manna for them,
so He will care for the needs of His people in times of distress (see Isa. 33:16).3
6. Power. His power was shown
especially in giving them the promised land, and His faithfulness and justice
thus displayed are, like His precepts, reliable and of permanent obligation.2
7. The works. All that he doth on the
behalf of his people, or against their enemies.2
Verity. Are exactly agreeable to his promises, and to justice.2
Sure. From the Heb. 'aman, "to be firmly established," "to be trustworthy." The commandments of God, in which man's duties are set forth, are trustworthy and true. They remain steadfast forever, they are unchangeable.3
8. They stand fast. The Lord has certain immutable principles by which He governs the universe. With God there "is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).3
Done. Constituted or
ordered.2
9. Redemption. The deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type of that higher
redemption by Christ.4
Commanded. Appointed, or established firmly by his power and
authority.4
For ever. Through all successive generations of his people to the
end of the world.4
Reverend. From the Heb. yara', "to fear," either man (Gen. 50:19) or God (Deut. 6:13). The form of the verb here used, nora', means literally, "to be feared," or "to be reverenced." Nora' occurs
44 times, but is rendered "reverend" only here. Elsewhere it is generally
translated "terrible" (Deut. 7:21; Neh. 1:5; etc.). It is also translated "to be
feared" (1 Chron. 16:25; Ps. 96:4), "dreadful" (Dan. 9:4),
and "to be had in reverence" (Ps. 89:7). Nora', though generally applied to God, is used also of things or acts (Ex. 34:10; Deut. 8:15;
Ps. 45:4; etc.), though seemingly with reference to divine acts. Nora' is
nowhere applied to human beings except in two instances, where it is applied to a nation (Isa. 18:2, 7), but even here the appellation seems to be used with reference to the acts of God.3
10. The fear.
True religion.4
Beginning. Is the only foundation of, and introduction
to, true wisdom.4
References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown -
http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/psalm/jfb/psalm111.htm
3. SDA Bible Commentary - Vol.3 pg 880, 881
4. John Wesley's Notes on the Bible - http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/psalm/wesley/psalm111.htm
5.
Spurgeon' Treasury of
David - http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/psalm/spurgeon/psalm111.htm
6. Matthew Henry Bible
Commentary - http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/psalm/mh/psalm111.htm |
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Who Wrote the Psalms?
The greatness of his works and the glory of them.