Bird's-eye view
Psalm 111 is a tightly structured hymn of praise, an acrostic poem where each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This isn't just clever wordsmithing; it's a way of saying that our praise to God is to be comprehensive, from A to Z. The psalmist is declaring that every aspect of God's character and work is worthy of our adoration. The psalm moves from a personal and corporate resolve to praise God (v. 1) to the reasons for that praise, which are found in the magnificent works of God (vv. 2-9). It culminates in the foundational principle of all true knowledge and life: the fear of the Lord (v. 10). This is a psalm that teaches us not only to praise, but how to think about the God we praise. He is a God of glorious deeds, covenant faithfulness, and holy righteousness.
The central theme is the greatness of God's works, which are presented as the basis for our worship. These works are not hidden mysteries but are available for study and delight to all who fear Him. From creation to redemption, God's actions in history reveal His character: gracious, compassionate, righteous, and true. The psalm emphasizes that God's relationship with His people is governed by His covenant, a promise He remembers forever. The conclusion ties together wisdom, obedience, and praise, showing that a right response to God's works is not just intellectual assent but a life of reverent obedience, which is the very beginning of wisdom.
Outline
- 1. The Resolve to Praise (Ps 111:1)
- a. A Personal Commitment (Ps 111:1a)
- b. A Corporate Setting (Ps 111:1b)
- 2. The Reason for Praise: God's Works (Ps 111:2-9)
- a. The Greatness and Glory of His Works (Ps 111:2-3)
- b. The Gracious Character Revealed in His Works (Ps 111:4-5)
- c. The Power and Justice of His Works (Ps 111:6-8)
- d. The Redemptive Climax of His Works (Ps 111:9)
- 3. The Response to Praise: Godly Fear (Ps 111:10)
- a. The Foundation of Wisdom (Ps 111:10a)
- b. The Path to Understanding (Ps 111:10b)
- c. The Result of a God-Fearing Life (Ps 111:10c)
Context In Psalms
Psalm 111 forms a pair with Psalm 112. Both are acrostic psalms, and they mirror each other thematically. Psalm 111 describes the character and works of the righteous God, while Psalm 112 describes the character and blessings of the righteous man who fears that God. It's a beautiful diptych: first, we see who God is, and then we see what a man becomes when he orients his life toward this God. This psalm is part of the "Hallel" psalms (though not one of the Egyptian Hallel psalms of 113-118), which are psalms of praise. It sets a pattern: true worship begins with a right view of God, grounded in His historical acts of creation and redemption. It is a call to remember what God has done, because in remembering, we come to know who He is.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1 Praise Yah! I will give thanks to Yahweh with all my heart, In the council of the upright and in the congregation.
The psalm opens with a clarion call, "Praise Yah!" This is not a suggestion but a summons. It is the right and fitting thing to do. The psalmist then immediately makes it personal: "I will give thanks." Praise is not something to be outsourced or left to the professionals on stage. It must be a personal, heartfelt commitment. And notice the totality of it, "with all my heart." God is not interested in partial praise or a divided heart. He wants all of you. This wholehearted praise is then located in a specific place: "in the council of the upright and in the congregation." This is not a quiet, private devotion. This is public, corporate worship. Praise is personal, but it is not private. We are to declare His goodness among the saints, strengthening one another as we do.
2 Great are the works of Yahweh; They are sought by all who delight in them.
Here is the foundation for our praise. Why praise Him? Because "great are the works of Yahweh." We don't praise a vague, abstract deity. We praise the God who acts, the God who does things. His works, from the spinning of galaxies to the salvation of a sinner, are massive, intricate, and glorious. And what is the proper response to these great works? They are to be "sought" or studied. This is the basis for all true science, all true history, all true theology. Those who delight in God will naturally delight in what God has made and what God has done. Boredom is a sin for a Christian because our God has filled the world with wonders. We are not to be intellectually lazy. We are to be students of God's handiwork, eager to trace His wisdom and power in everything.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness stands forever.
The psalmist continues to heap up descriptors for God's work. It is "splendid and majestic." There is an aesthetic quality to what God does. It is not just functional; it is beautiful. But this beauty is not detached from His moral character. The second line anchors this majesty in His eternal attribute: "His righteousness stands forever." God's works are not only powerful and beautiful; they are also just. Unlike the works of men, which are shot through with sin and decay, God's work is established on a foundation of perfect righteousness that will never erode. What He does is right, and it will be right forever.
4 He has made His wondrous deeds to be remembered; Yahweh is gracious and compassionate.
God is not a God who does amazing things and then hopes someone notices. He actively ensures His deeds are remembered. He established memorials, feasts, and sacraments. The Passover, the Lord's Supper, the Scriptures themselves, all serve this purpose. God wants His people to have a long memory. Why? Because in remembering His deeds, we remember His character. And what is that character? "Yahweh is gracious and compassionate." This is the heart of the gospel. The God whose works are majestic and righteous is also a God of grace and mercy. His power is always exercised in concert with His love. This is the God who, despite our rebellion, moves toward us with kindness.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.
The praise now becomes more specific. God's provision is a key theme. He gives "food to those who fear Him." This refers to the manna in the wilderness, but it points to a greater reality. God is our provider. He sustains us, day by day. This provision is not random; it is an outworking of His covenant. "He will remember His covenant forever." God is not forgetful. His promises are not subject to mood swings. His covenant is an eternal commitment to His people, sealed in the blood of Christ. Our confidence is not in our ability to hold on to Him, but in His unbreakable promise to hold on to us.
6 He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them an inheritance of the nations.
God's works have a purpose, a trajectory. He showed His power to Israel in the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan for a reason: "in giving them an inheritance of the nations." This was a down payment, a type of the greater inheritance to come. In Christ, the Church has been given the nations as her inheritance (Psalm 2:8). God's power is demonstrated in order to fulfill His global, redemptive purpose. He is not just the God of Israel; He is the God of all the earth, and His plan is to bring all nations under the gracious rule of His Son.
7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are faithful.
Here we see the connection between God's works and God's Word. What He does ("works of His hands") and what He says ("His precepts") are perfectly consistent. Both are characterized by "truth and justice." God's actions are always true to His character and His promises. His commands are not arbitrary; they are "faithful" or sure, providing a firm foundation for our lives. You can build your life on what God says, because what He says is as reliable as what He does.
8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are done in truth and uprightness.
This verse reinforces the previous one. God's precepts are not temporary suggestions. They are "upheld forever and ever." They don't have an expiration date. Moral fads come and go, but the Word of the Lord endures. And again, the moral character behind them is emphasized. They are "done in truth and uprightness." God's law is a reflection of His holy character. To obey His commands is to walk in the grain of the universe, to align ourselves with reality as God has established it.
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and fearsome is His name.
This verse brings us to the pinnacle of God's works: redemption. He "sent redemption to His people." For Israel, this was the Exodus. For us, it is the cross of Jesus Christ. This is the greatest of all His works. And like His provision, this redemption is a covenant act. "He has commanded His covenant forever." The new covenant, established by Christ, is an everlasting covenant. The verse concludes with a declaration of God's nature that flows from these redemptive acts: "Holy and fearsome is His name." His name, His reputation, His very character, is set apart, utterly pure. And because He is holy, He is also "fearsome." A God who can redeem His people from bondage is a God to be revered and held in awe. He is not safe, but He is good.
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; Good insight belongs to all those who do His commandments; His praise stands forever.
The psalm concludes by drawing the practical application from all that has been said. If God is this great, this holy, this powerful, then the only sane and rational response is to fear Him. "The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom." It is not the end, but it is the starting point, the foundational principle. You cannot begin to be wise until you have reckoned with who God is. This is not a craven, terrified fear, but a reverential awe that leads to submission and worship. And this wisdom is not merely theoretical. It leads to action. "Good insight belongs to all those who do His commandments." True understanding comes through obedience. You don't understand the Christian life by sitting in an armchair and thinking about it; you understand it by walking in it. The final line brings us full circle: "His praise stands forever." A life that begins in the fear of the Lord and walks in obedience will be a life that culminates in everlasting praise, joining the eternal chorus that declares the greatness of our God.
Application
This psalm is a curriculum for worship. It teaches us that true praise must be both wholehearted and grounded in truth. We are not to come to God with empty platitudes, but with a mind and heart full of the specifics of His mighty deeds. We should cultivate a habit of studying God's works, both in creation and in Scripture. When we see a sunset, we should see the splendor of His work. When we read of the Exodus or the cross, we should see His righteousness and grace on display.
Furthermore, this psalm calls us to a life of reverent obedience. The fear of the Lord is not a popular concept in our day, but it is the non-negotiable starting point for wisdom. We must recover a sense of God's holy, fearsome majesty. This reverence is what fuels our worship and motivates our obedience. When we understand who God is, we will understand that His commandments are not burdensome restrictions but pathways to life and understanding. A life built on this foundation will be a stable, joyful, and praise-filled life, one that endures forever because it is connected to the God whose praise endures forever.