Bible Commentaries
Psalms 111

Verses 1-10

v. 1. Praise ye the Lord, or, "Hallelujah, praise Jehovah," the singer celebrating God's gracious dealings with His people, of which he gives a summary statement. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, that is, in the intimate circle of believers, who form a company of confidential friends, and in the congregation, the true spiritual Israel of all times.

v. 2. The works of the Lord, both of His providence and of His grace, are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, that is, carefully studied by all who desire to understand them more perfectly.

v. 3. His work is honorable and glorious, literally, "honor and majesty," to emphasize the fact that His entire essence finds expression in them; and His righteousness, especially as shown in the great work of redemption, endureth forever.

v. 4. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered, literally, "A remembrance He hath made to His miracles," setting them before men never to be forgotten; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion, His wonders showing in His goodness, love, and mercy.

v. 5. He hath given meat unto them that fear Him, supplying them richly with food; He will ever be mindful of His covenant, the covenant between Israel and Jehovah being typical of that made with all believers in the Word of Grace.

v. 6. He hath showed His people, the children of Israel, the power of His works, His almighty power being manifested in the manner in which He led and guided them, that He may give them the heritage of the heathen, as He did at the conquest of Canaan.

v. 7. The works of His hands, by which He manifests Himself to His people, are verity and judgment, truth and justice designating both their source and the manner in which they are performed before men; all His commandments are sure, whatever He ordains is trustworthy, dependable, as being intended for the highest benefit of mankind.

v. 8. They stand fast forever and ever, established by His eternal decree, and are done in truth and uprightness, without hypocrisy, with only the highest good of His people in mind.

v. 9. He sent redemption unto His people, the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt being typical of the great spiritual redemption which was gained by Christ for all men; He hath commanded His covenant forever, giving the assurance that the covenant of His mercy should never fail. Holy and reverend is His name, His entire essence and all His attributes filling all those who contemplate them with awe.

v. 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the highest and best wisdom, for this world and for the world to come, flowing out of the reverence of God which is grounded in faith; a good understanding, a proper appreciation and recognition of the values in life, have all they that do His commandments, faithful in their duties according to His Word, the spiritual men being able to have the right judgment in all things. His praise endureth forever, that is, everyone who fears the Lord with the reverence which is an outgrowth of faith may rightly be called happy and blessed, since he is in the most intimate relation with his heavenly Father, from whom every blessing flows.