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Psalms 111

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Praise for the LORD's Great Works 1–5

1
Praise ye Jehovah. I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation. ​
2
The works of Jehovah are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. ​
3
His work is honor and majesty; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful. ​
5
He hath given food unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant. ​

His Covenant and the Fear of the LORD 6–10

6
He hath showed his people the power of his works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. ​
7
The works of his hands are truth and justice; All his precepts are sure. ​
8
They are established for ever and ever; They are done in truth and uprightness.
9
He hath sent redemption unto his people; He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name. ​
10
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that dohis commandments: His praise endureth for ever. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 111

Verse 1

Praise ye the LORD — This is Hallelu-Yah: halal, to shine or boast, with Yah, the short form of the divine name (Rev 19:1, 'Alleluia'). The 'assembly' is sod, the close company of those who confer together, the word of Ps 25:14, 'The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him'; the 'congregation' (edah) is the whole gathered people.

Verse 2

The works of the LORD are great — Maaseh, works, is the word of three verses here: 'The works of the LORD' (v.2), 'the power of his works' (v.6) and 'The works of his hands' (v.7). 'Sought out' is darash, to seek by frequenting and following up; the works are studied by 'all them that have pleasure therein'. Ps 104:24 says the same, 'how manifold are thy works!'

Verse 4

wonderful works to be remembered — Zeker, 'remembered', is a memorial, as in Ex 3:15, 'this is my memorial unto all generations'. 'Gracious and full of compassion' is channun and rachum, the pair of Ex 34:6 and Ps 145:8; Ps 112:4 says the same of the upright man, 'he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous'.

Verse 5

He hath given meat — Tereph, food, is literally what is torn off: the young lions seek their 'prey' in Ps 104:21, and the LORD speaks of 'meat in mine house' in Mal 3:10. It is given 'unto them that fear him'. 'Be mindful' is zakar, the verb behind 'remembered' (zeker) in v.4; Ps 105:8 says 'He hath remembered his covenant for ever'.

Verse 6

the heritage of the heathen — The nations' land was given to Israel after the LORD cast them out: 'How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand' (Ps 44:2), and 'divided them an inheritance by line' (Ps 78:55). 'Shewed' is nagad, to put plainly before them, and 'power' is koach, strength.

Verse 7

verity and judgment — Emeth, truth, and mishpat, justice, belong to 'the works of his hands'; Ps 89:14 sets 'Justice and judgment' at the throne, with 'mercy and truth' before his face. 'Sure' is aman, to be firm; Ps 119:86 gives the same of the commandments, 'All thy commandments are faithful'.

Verse 9

holy and reverend is his name — 'Reverend' occurs only here in the KJV. It is yare, the verb of 'terrible' in Ps 99:3, 'Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy'. 'Redemption' is peduth, a ransom or distinction, found four times: Ex 8:23 (KJV 'division'), here, Ps 130:7 and Isa 50:2.

Verse 10

the beginning of wisdom — Reshith, the first and chief part, the word of 'In the beginning' in Gen 1:1. The same line stands in Prov 9:10, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom'; Prov 1:7 has 'knowledge'. A 'good understanding' (sekel) belongs to those who 'do his commandments'. 'Endureth' is amad, to stand.