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Psalms 111

Chapter Text

Praise for God's Wonderful Works

Summary

Psalm 111 is an acrostic hymn of praise, each line beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It declares that the works of the Lord are great and sought out by all who delight in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.

God has made His wonderful works to be remembered, providing food for those who fear Him and ever mindful of His covenant. He sent redemption to His people and commanded His covenant forever. The psalm concludes with the foundational declaration: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Meaning

The acrostic structure of this psalm embodies the thoroughness and completeness of God's praise, covering the full alphabet of adoration. Each divine attribute and act receives its due recognition in orderly fashion.

The psalm connects God's works in creation and history with His covenant faithfulness. Everything God does is an expression of His reliable character, and the proper response is both awe and study. His works are sought out by all who have pleasure in them, suggesting that theological inquiry is itself an act of worship.

The concluding wisdom statement grounds all understanding in reverent relationship with God. True wisdom is not merely intellectual but relational, beginning with the fear that transforms how one sees everything else.

Background

This psalm has no author attribution and is paired with Psalm 112, which together form an acrostic celebration of God and the godly person. The psalm opens with Hallelujah, placing it among the praise psalms.

Its concise, proverbial style and its concluding wisdom saying connect it to the wisdom tradition of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

Chapter Outline

  1. vv. 1Call to wholehearted praise
  2. vv. 2-4The greatness of God's works
  3. vv. 5-6Provision and covenant faithfulness
  4. vv. 7-8The reliability of his commandments
  5. vv. 9Redemption and the holy name
  6. vv. 10The fear of the LORD as wisdom's beginning

Key Verses

“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.”— 111:10

One of Scripture's foundational wisdom statements, echoed in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10. It anchors true knowledge in reverent submission to God rather than human intellect.

“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.”— 111:9

The only occurrence of 'reverend' in the KJV, applied exclusively to God's name. It links redemption, covenant, and divine holiness in a single confession.

“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.”— 111:4

A characteristic Old Testament summary of God's nature, echoing Exodus 34:6. The verb 'remembered' grounds worship in the deliberate recollection of God's mighty acts.

Devotional

Psalm 111 invites us to slow down and remember. In a culture of distraction, the psalmist insists that God's works are worth seeking out, studying, and treasuring (v. 2). Gratitude is not a passing mood but a discipline of memory.

The psalm closes where wisdom begins: in the fear of the LORD (v. 10). Reverence is not fearful cringing but the humble posture that opens the door to understanding. To live wisely today is simply to align our days with the One whose commandments are sure and whose name is holy.

Literary Style

An acrostic hymn of praise: each half-verse in Hebrew begins with successive letters of the alphabet, twenty-two lines in total. The form signals completeness, as if praise exhausts the alphabet itself, and pairs naturally with Psalm 112.