Psalm 111: Praise the Lord for his great works, faithful covenant, and wise commands

111:1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the godly and the congregation. 111:2 The Lord’s deeds are great, eagerly awaited by all who desire them. 111:3 His work is majestic and glorious, and his faithfulness endures forever. 111:4 He does amazing things that will be remembered; the Lord is merciful and compassionate. 111:5 He gives food to his faithful followers; he always remembers his covenant. 111:6 He announced that he would do mighty deeds for his people, giving them a land that belonged to other nations. 111:7 His acts are characterized by faithfulness and justice; all his precepts are reliable. 111:8 They are forever firm, and should be faithfully and properly carried out. 111:9 He delivered his people; he ordained that his covenant be observed forever. His name is holy and awesome. 111:10 To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. He will receive praise forever. Psalm 112

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Psalm 111 calls God’s people to give wholehearted praise in the gathered assembly. It remembers the Lord’s great deeds, his mercy, his provision, his covenant faithfulness, and his righteous commands. The psalm ends by teaching that true wisdom begins with fear of the Lord and is shown by obedience.

This psalm is a public hymn of praise. The singer says he will thank the Lord with his whole heart among God’s people. The focus is not on human feeling, but on the Lord himself and what he has done.

The psalm remembers the Lord’s works. His deeds are great, glorious, and lasting. He is merciful and compassionate. He gives food to those who fear him, and he remembers his covenant. He also made known his mighty acts by giving his people a land that belonged to other nations. These are not random acts. They are covenant acts of redemption, provision, and faithfulness.

The psalm also joins God’s works to God’s words. His works are faithful and just, and his precepts are trustworthy. His commands stand forever and should be obeyed faithfully and rightly. So the God who saves is also the God who rules.

The final verse gives the wisdom lesson of the psalm. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. True understanding starts with reverent awe and submission to God. Those who do his commands gain good insight. The psalm ends where it began, with praise.

• God should be praised with the whole heart and in the gathered assembly.
• The Lord’s works are great, glorious, and remembered.
• God is merciful and compassionate.
• The Lord provides food for those who fear him.
• God remembers his covenant.
• The Lord’s saving acts include giving his people the land.
• God’s works are faithful and just, and his precepts are trustworthy.
• His commands are to be obeyed faithfully and properly.
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
• True wisdom is shown by practicing God’s precepts.

• Praise the Lord with your whole heart.
• Give thanks to the Lord in the assembly of the godly.
• Remember and rehearse the Lord’s works.
• Trust his covenant faithfulness.
• Obey his precepts faithfully and rightly.
• Fear the Lord, for this is the beginning of wisdom.

Psalm 111 stands in Israel’s covenant life and remembers the Lord’s redemption, provision, and gift of land. It shows that God’s saving acts and his holy commands belong together. In the wider Bible, this prepares readers to see that the Lord is both Redeemer and righteous King, and that true wisdom comes from reverent fear of him.

Believers should praise God publicly and wholeheartedly, not only privately or casually. We should remember his past mercies, because remembrance strengthens trust and obedience. We should also treat God’s commands as good and reliable. Wisdom does not begin with self-confidence, but with reverent fear of the Lord and a life shaped by his word.

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