Psalms 111

¹Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

Psa 111:1-10. The Psalmist celebrates God’s gracious dealings with His people, of which a summary statement is given. 1. Praise ye the Lord--or, Hallelujah (Psa 104:35). 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. This praise claims the whole heart--(Psa 86:12), and is rendered publicly. upright--a title of the true Israel (Psa 32:11).

²The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

2. His works, that is, of providence and grace are sought--or, carefully studied, by all desiring to know them.

³His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

⁴He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

3-4. honourable and glorious--literally, “honor and majesty,” which illustrate His glorious perfections. righteousness--(Psa 7:17; 31:1), which He has made memorable by wonders of love and mercy, in supplying the wants of His people according to covenant engagements.

⁶He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

⁷The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

⁸They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

6-8. 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.

⁹He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

9. The deliverance He provided accorded to His established covenant. Thus He manifested Himself in the sum of His perfections (Psa 20:1, 7; 22:3) worthy of reverence.

¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

10. And hence love and fear of such a God is the chief element of true wisdom (compare Pr 1:7; 9:10).