There is no title to this Psalm, but it is an alphabetical hymn of praise, having for its subject the works of the Lord in creation, providence, and grace. The sweet singer dwells upon the one idea that God should be known by his people, and that this knowledge when turned into practical piety is man's true wisdom, and the certain cause of lasting adoration. Many are ignorant of what their Creator has done, and hence they are foolish in heart, and silent as to the praises of God: this evil can only be removed by a remembrance of God's works, and a diligent study of them; to this, therefore, the Psalm is meant to arouse us. It may be called The Psalm of God's Works intended to excite us to the work of praise.

Division. - The Psalmist begins with an invitation to praise, Psalm 111:1; and then proceeds to furnish us with matter for adoration in God's works and his dealings with his people, Psalm 111:2-9. He closes his song with a commendation of the worship of the Lord and of the men who practise it.

Hints to Preachers

Psalm 111:1. - "Praise ye the Lord"; there is an exhortation. "I will praise the Lord;" there is a vow. It shall be "with my whole heart"; there is experimental godliness. It shall be "in the assembly of the upright"; there is a relative position occupied along with the family of God. - Joseph Irons.

Psalm 111:1. - "With my whole heart." This includes spirituality, simplicity, and earnestness. - Joseph Irons.

Psalm 111:1. -

I. Who are the upright?

II. What are they doing? Praising God.

III. What shall I do if I am favoured to stand among them? "I will praise the Lord."

Psalm 111:1. - Where I love to be, and what I love to do.

Psalm 111:2. - The Christian philosopher.

I. His sphere: "The works of the Lord."

II. His work: "Sought out."

III. His qualification: "Pleasure therein."

IV. His conclusion: "Praise," as in Psalm 111:1.

Psalm 111:2-9. - The Psalmist furnishes us with matter for praise from the works of God.

1. The greatness of his works and the glory of them.

2. The righteousness of them.

3. The goodness of them.

4. The power of them.

5. The conformity of them to his word of promise.

6. The perpetuity of them. - Matthew Henry.

Psalm 111:3 (last clause). - As an essential attribute, as revealed in providence, as vindicated in redemption, as demonstrated in punishment, as appropriated by believers.

Psalm 111:4. - The compassion of the Lord as seen in aiding the memories of his people.

Psalm 111:4, Psalm 111:5. - God's marvels ought not to be nine-day wonders.

I. It is God's design that his wonders should be remembered, therefore,

1. He made them great.

2. He wrought them for an undeserving people.

3. He wrought them at memorable times.

4. He put them on record.

5. He instituted memorials.

6. He bade them tell their children.

7. He so dealt with them as to refresh their memories.

II. It is our wisdom to remember the Lord's wonders.

1. To assure us of his compassion: "The Lord is gracious."

2. To make us consider his bounty: "he hath given meat."

3. To certify us of his faithfulness: "he will ever be mindful of his covenant."

4. To arouse our praise: "Praise ye the Lord."

Psalm 111:5. - There is,

I. Encouragement from the past: "He hath given meat," etc.

II. Confidence for the future: "He will ever be mindful," etc.

- G. R.

Psalm 111:6. - The power of God an encouragement for the evangelization of the heathen.

Psalm 111:9. - Redemption. Conceived, arranged, executed, and applied by God. By price and by power. From sin and death. That we may be free, the Lord's own, the Lord's glory.

Psalm 111:9. - Redemption.

I. Its author: "He sent."

II. Its objects: "Unto his people."

III. The pledge it gives us: "He hath commanded his covenant," etc.

IV. The praise it creates in us.

Psalm 111:9. - "Holy and reverend."

I. The holiness of God the object of our reverence.

II. Such reverence has much useful influence over us.

III. It should always accompany our faith in redemption and covenant. See preceding clauses of verse.

Psalm 111:10. -

I. The beginner in Christ's school.

II. The man who has taken a degree- "a good understanding," etc.

III. The Master who receives the praise.

Psalm 111:10. -

I. The beginning of wisdom: "the fear of the Lord" - God is feared.

II. Its continuance: "a good understanding have all they that do his commandments" - when the fear of the Lord in the heart is developed in the life.

III. Its end, praising God for ever' "his praise," etc.

- G. R.

Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings

Whole Psalm

This is the first alphabetical Psalm which is regular throughout. The four former alphabetical Psalms, namely, Psalm 9:1 and Psalm 10:1, Psalm 34:1 and Psalm 37:1, are irregular and defective in many particulars, for the rectification of which neither Hebrew MS. editions nor ancient versions afford sanction and authority. It is singular that not only are Psalm 111:1-10 and Psalm 112:1-10 perfectly regular, but, furthermore, that not one various reading of note or importance occurs in either of these Psalms. - John Noble Coleman.

Whole Psalm

The following translation is given to enable the reader to realize the alphabetical character of the Psalm. It is taken from "The Psalms Chronologically Arranged. By Four Friends."

All my heart shall praise Jehovah,

Before the congregation of the righteous; 1 Deeds of goodness are the deeds of Jehovah,

Earnestly desired of all them that have pleasure therein; 2 For his righteousness endureth for ever,

Glorious and honourable is his work; 3 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered.

In Jehovah is compassion and goodness; 4 Jehovah hath given meat to them that fear him,

Keeping his covenant for ever, 5 Learning his people the power of his works,

Making them to possess the heritage of the heathen; 6 Nought save truth and equity are the works of his hands,

Ordered and sure are his commands, 7 Planted fast for ever and ever,

Righteous and true are his testimonies; 8 Salvation hath he sent unto his people,

Their covenant hath he made fast for ever; 9 Upright and holy is his name,

Verily, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

Yea, a good understanding have all they that do thereafter;

Zealously shall he be praised for ever. 10 Whole Psalm

The general opinion of interpreters is, that this and some of the following Psalms were usually sung at the eating of the Paschal lamb, of which custom mention is also made, Matthew 26, that Christ and the disciples sang a hymn before they went out into the garden. - Solomon Gesner.

Whole Psalm

The two Psalms, Psalm 111:1 and Psalm 112:1, resemble one another in construction, alphabetical arrangement, and general tone and manner. They are connected in this way: Psalm 111:1-10 sets forth the greatness, mercy, and righteousness of God: Psalm 112:1-10 the reflection of these attributes in the greatness, Psalm 112:2, mercy, Psalm 112:5, and righteousness, Psalm 112:4, 19 112:9, of his chosen. The correspondence of purpose in the two Psalms is important to the right appreciation of some difficulties connected with the latter Psalm. - Speaker's Commentary.

Whole Psalm

The scope of this Psalm is to stir up an to praise God, and that for so many reasons as there are verses in the Psalm. The exhortation is in the first words, "Praise ye the Lord." The reasons follow in order. The Psalm is composed so after the order of the Hebrew alphabet, as every sentence or half verse beginneth with a several letter of the A B C in order, and all the Psalm is of praise only. Whence we learn in general,

1. Sometimes it is expedient to set all other things apart, and employ ourselves expressly to proclaim the praises of the Lord only; for so is done in this Psalm.

2. The praises of the Lord are able to fill all the letters and words composed of letters, in all their possible junctures of composition; for so much doth the going through all the letters of the A B C point out unto us, he is Alpha and Omega, and all the middle letters of the A B C of praise.

3. The praises of the Lord are worthy to be kept in memory: for that this Psalm may be the better remembered, it is composed after the manner of the A B C, and so it insinuateth thus much to us. - David Dickson.

Psalm 111:1

"Praise ye the Lord," etc. The exhortation is immediately succeeded by the expression of a firm resolve; the Psalmist having commenced by urging the duty of gratitude upon others - "Praise ye the Lord," forthwith announces his determination to act upon his own advice - "I will praise the Lord with my whole heart." Such a conjunction of ideas is fraught with several most important lessons.

1. It teaches us, very emphatically, that our preaching, if it is to carry weight and conviction, must be backed and exemplified by our conduct; that we need never expect to persuade others by arguments which are too weak to influence ourselves.

2. Another inference is similarly suggested - that our own decision should be given without reference to the result of our appeal. The Psalmist did not wait to ascertain whether those whom he addressed would attend to his exhortation, but, before he could receive a reply, declared unhesitatingly the course he would himself adopt. - W. T. Maudson, in a Sermon on Thanksgiving, 1855.

Psalm 111:1

"With my whole heart." That is, earnestly, and with a sincere affection; meaning also, that he would do it privately, and, as it were, within himself, as by the next words he noteth that he will do it openly. - Thomas Wilcocks.

Psalm 111:1

"With my whole heart." We see the stress here laid upon a whole heart, and the want of which is the great canker of all vital godliness. Men are ever attempting to unite what the word of God has declared to be incapable of union-,the love of the world and of God - to give half their heart to the world, and the other half to God. Just see the energy, the entireness of every thought and feeling and effort which a man throws into a work in which he is deeply interested; the very phrase we use to describe such an one is, that "he gives his whole mind to it." Attempt to persuade him to divert his energies and divide his time with some other pursuit, and he would wonder at the folly and the ignorance that could suggest such a method of success. "Just take a hint from Satan," says some one; "see how he plies his powers on the individual, as if there were but that one, and as if he had nothing else to do but to ruin that one soul." It was a holy resolution of the Psalmist that he would praise God; and a wise one to add, "with my whole heart." And we have the result of this determination in the following verses of the Psalm. - Barton Bouchier.

Psalm 111:1

Two words are used, "assembly" and "congregation." The former implies a more private meeting of worshippers, the latter the more public. The former may apply to the family circle of those who were celebrating the passover, the latter to the public worship connected with the feast. - W. Wilson.

Psalm 111:2

"The works of the Lord are great." Their greatness is known from comparison with the works and powers of men, which, verily, die and perish quickly. We should, therefore, admire, fear, confide, obey. - Martin Geier.

Psalm 111:2

"The works of the Lord are great," etc. Their greatness is equally manifest when we turn from the immensity to the variety of his works.... How great are the works of him who gives to every plant its leaf and flower and fruit; to every animal its faculties and functions; to every man his understanding, affections, and will. What an accumulative idea of the magnitude of his works do we gather from the innumerable multitudes and endless diversities of being called into existence by his powers. - Samuel Summers, 1837.

Psalm 111:2

"The works of the Lord are great." The workman who never makes a small article, an inferior article, but makes all his articles both great and valuable, deserves much praise; and any one that will study God's works, which we think so little of by reason of their being so constantly before us, cannot fail to behold God's infinite power and wisdom in every one of them, even though he cannot comprehend them. - Robert Bellarmine.

Psalm 111:2

"Great." The word גרול (gadol) "great," has in the Hebrew so extensive a range of meaning, that in the English there is no single substitute expressive enough to take its place. It denotes greatness and augmentation of various kinds. In this passage "the works of Jehovah" are described as greatly "magnified or augmented" in their influences and effects on the minds of men who behold them. The greatness ascribed to these works, is a greatness in number, in character, in dignity, in beauty, in variety, in riches. - Benjamin Weiss.

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

"Praise ye the Lord," or, Hallelujah! All ye his saints unite in adoring Jehovah, who worketh so gloriously. Do it now, do it always: do it heartily, do it unanimously, do it eternally. Even if others refuse, take care that ye have always a song for your God. Put away all doubt, question, murmuring, and rebellion, and give yourselves up to the praising of Jehovah, both with your lips and in your lives. "I will praise the Lord with my whole heart." The sweet singer commences the song, for his heart is all on flame: whether others will follow him or not, he will at once begin and long continue. What we preach we should practise. The best way to enforce an exhortation is to set an example; but we must let that example be of the best kind, or we may lead others to do the work in a limping manner. David brought nothing less than his whole heart to the duty; all his love went out towards God, and all his zeal, his skill, and his ardour went with it. Jehovah the one and undivided God cannot be acceptably praised with a divided heart, neither should we attempt so to dishonour him; for our whole heart is little enough for his glory, and there can be no reason why it should not all be lifted up in his praise. All his works are praiseworthy, and therefore all our nature should adore him. "In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation"; - whether with few or with many he would pour forth his whole heart and soul in praise, and whether the company was made up of select spirits or of the general mass of the people he would continue in the same exercise. For the choicest society there can be no better engagement than praise, and for the general assembly nothing can be more fitting. For the church and for the congregation, for the family or the community, for the private chamber of pious friendship, or the great hall of popular meeting, the praise of the Lord is suitable; and at the very least the true heart should sing hallelujah in any and every place. Why should we fear the presence of men? The best of men will join us in our song, and if the common sort, will not do so, our example will be a needed rebuke to them. In any case let us praise God, whether the hearers be a little band of saints or a mixed multitude. Come, dear reader, he who pens this comment is in his heart magnifying the Lord: will you not pause for a moment and join in the delightful exercise?

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.

Psalm 111:2

"The works of the Lord are great." In design, in size, in number, in excellence, all the works of the Lord are great. Even the little things of God are great. In some point of view or other each one of the productions of his power, or the deeds of his wisdom, will appear to be great to the wise in heart. "Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Those who love their Maker delight in his handiworks, they perceive that there is more in them than appears upon the surface, and therefore they bend their minds to study and understand them. The devout naturalist ransacks nature, the earnest student of history pries into hidden facts and dark stories, and the man of God digs into the mines of Scripture, and hoards up each grain of its golden truth. God's works are worthy of our researches, they yield us instruction and pleasure wonderfully blended, and they grow upon, appearing to be far greater, after investigation than before. Men's works are noble from a distance; God's works are great when sought out. Delitzsch reads the passage, "Worthy of being sought after in all their purposes," and this also is a grand truth, for the end and design which God hath in all that he makes or does is equally admirable with the work itself. The hidden wisdom of God is the most marvellous part of his works, and hence those who do not look below the surface miss the best part of what he would teach us. Because the works are great they cannot be seen all at once, but must be looked into with care, and this seeking out is of essential service to us by educating our faculties, and strengthening our spiritual eye gradually to bear the light of the divine glory. It is well for us that all things cannot be seen at a glance, for the search into their mysteries is as useful to us as the knowledge which we thereby attain. The history of the Lord's dealings with his people is especially a fit subject for the meditation of reverent minds who find therein a sweet solace, and a never failing source of delight.

Psalm 111:3

"His work is honourable and glorious." His one special work, the salvation of his people, is here mentioned as distinguished from his many other works. This reflects honour and glory upon him. It is deservedly the theme of the highest praise, and compels those who understand it and experience it to ascribe all honour and glory unto the Lord. Its conception, its sure foundations, its gracious purpose, its wise arrangements, its gift of Jesus as Redeemer, its application of redemption by the Holy Ghost in regeneration and sanctification, and all else which make up the one glorious whole, all redound to the infinite honour of Him who contrived and carried out so astounding a method of salvation. No other work can be compared with it: it honours both the Saviour and the saved, and while it brings glory to God it also brings us to glory. There is none like the God of Jeshurun, and there is no salvation like that which he has wrought for his people. "And his righteousness endureth for ever." In the work of grace righteousness is not forgotten, nor deprived of its glory; rather, it is honoured in the eyes of the intelligent universe. The bearing of guilt by our great Substitute proved that not even to effect the purposes of his grace would the Lord forget his righteousness; no future strain upon his justice can ever be equal to that which it has already sustained in the bruising of his dear Son; it must henceforth assuredly endure for ever. Moreover, the righteousness of God in the whole plan can never now be suspected of failure, for an that it requires is already performed, its demands are satisfied by the double deed of our Lord in enduring the vengeance due, and in rendering perfect obedience to the law. Caprice does not enter into the government of the Lord, the rectitude of it is and must for ever be beyond all question. In no single deed of God can unrighteousness be found, nor shall there ever be: this is the very glory of his work, and even its adversaries cannot gainsay it. Let believers. therefore, praise him evermore, and never blush to speak of that work which is so honourable and glorious.

Psalm 111:4

"He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." He meant them to remain in the recollection of his people, and they do so: partly because they are in themselves memorable, and because also he has taken care to record them by the pen of inspiration, and has written them upon the hearts of his people by his Holy Spirit. By the ordinances of the Mosaic law, the coming out of Egypt, the sojourn in the wilderness, and other memorabilia of Israel's history were constantly brought before the minds of the people, and their children were by such means instructed in the wonders which God had wrought in old time. Deeds such as God has wrought are not to be admired for an hour and then forgotten, they are meant to be perpetual signs and instructive tokens to all coming generations; and especially are they designed to confirm the faith of his people in the divine love, and to make them know that "the Lord is gracious and full of compassion." They need not fear to trust his grace for the future, for they remember it in the past. Grace is as conspicuous as righteousness in the great work of God, yea, a fulness of tender love is seen in all that he has done. He treats his people with great consideration for their weakness and infirmity; having the same pity for them as a father hath towards his children. Should we not praise him for this? A silver thread of lovingkindness runs through the entire fabric of God's work of salvation and providence, and never once is it left out in the whole piece. Let the memories of his saints bear witness to this fact with grateful joy.

continued...

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.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." It is its first principle, but it is also its head and chief attainment. The word "beginning" in Scripture sometimes means the chief; and true religion is at once the first element of wisdom, and its chief fruit. To know God so as to walk aright before him is the greatest of all the applied sciences. Holy reverence of God leads us to praise him, and this is the point which the psalm drives at, for it is a wise act on the part of a creature towards his Creator. "A good understanding have all they that do his commandments." Obedience to God proves that our judgment is sound. Why should he not be obeyed? Does not reason itself claim obedience for the Lord of all? Only a man void of understanding will ever justify rebellion against the holy God. Practical godliness is the test of wisdom. Men may know and be very orthodox, they may talk and be very eloquent, they may speculate and be very profound; but the best proof of their intelligence must be found in their actually doing the will of the Lord. The former part of the Psalm taught us the doctrine of God's nature and character, by describing his works: the second part supplies the practical lesson by drawing the inference that to worship and obey him is the dictate of true wisdom. We joyfully own that it is so. "His praise endureth for ever." The praises of God will never cease, because his works will always excite adoration, and it will always be the wisdom of men to extol their glorious Lord. Some regard this sentence as referring to those who fear the Lord - their praise shall endure for ever: and, indeed, it is true that those who lead obedient lives shall obtain honour of the Lord, and commendations which will abide for ever. A word of approbation from the mouth of God will be a mede of honour which will outshine all the decorations which kings and emperors can bestow.

Lord, help us to study thy works, and henceforth to breathe out hallelujahs as long as we live.