TRV
Translation
King James Version
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
KJV (with Strong's)
His work H6467 is honourable H1935 and glorious H1926: and his righteousness H6666 endureth H5975 for ever H5703.
Complete Jewish Bible
His work is full of majesty and splendor, and his righteousness continues forever.
American Standard Version
His work is honor and majesty; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
Geneva Bible (1599)
His worke is beautifull and glorious, and his righteousnesse endureth for euer.
Young's Literal Translation
Honourable and majestic is His work, And His righteousness is standing for ever.
See also
In the KJVVerse 15,797 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 111 verses 1–5
1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
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.
The title of the psalm being Hallelujah, the psalmist (as every author ought to have) has an eye to his title, and keeps to his text.
I. He resolves to praise God himself, Psa 111:1. What duty we call others to we must oblige and excite ourselves to; nay, whatever others do, whether they will praise God or no, we and our houses must determine to do it, we and our hearts; for such is the psalmist's resolution here: I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. My heart, my whole heart, being devoted to his honour, shall be employed in this work; and this in the assembly, or secret, of the upright, in the cabinet-council, and in the congregation of Israelites. Note, We must praise God both in private and in public, in less and greater assemblies, in our own families and in the courts of the Lord's house; but in both it is most comfortable to do it in concert with the upright, who will heartily join in it. Private meetings for devotion should be kept up as well as more public and promiscuous assemblies.
II. He recommends to us the works of the Lord as the proper subject of our meditations when we are praising him - the dispensations of his providence towards the world, towards the church, and towards particular persons. 1. God's works are very magnificent, great like himself; there is nothing in them that is mean or trifling: they are the products of infinite wisdom and power, and we must say this upon the first view of them, before we come to enquire more particularly into them, that the works of the Lord are great, Psa 111:2. There is something in them surprising, and that strikes an awe upon us. All the works of the Lord are spoken of as one (Psa 111:3); it is his work, such is the beauty and harmony of Providence and so admirably do all its dispensations centre in one design; it was cried to the wheels, O wheel! Eze 10:13. Take all together, and it is honourable and glorious, and such as becomes him. 2. They are entertaining and exercising to the inquisitive - sought out of all those that have pleasure therein. Note, (1.) All that truly love God have pleasure in his works, and reckon all well that he does; nor do their thoughts dwell upon any subject with more delight than on the works of God, which the more they are looked into the more they give us of a pleasing surprise. (2.) Those that have pleasure in the works of God will not take up with a superficial transient view of them, but will diligently search into them and observe them. In studying both natural and political history we should have this in our eye, to discover the greatness and glory of God's works. (3.) These works of God, that are humbly and diligently sought into, shall be sought out; those that seek shall find (so some read); they are found of all those that have pleasure in them, or found in all their parts, designs, purposes, and several concernments (so Dr. Hammond), for the secret of the Lord is with those that fear him, Psa 25:14. 3. They are all justly and holy; His righteousness endures for ever. Whatever he does, he never did, nor ever will do, any wrong to any of his creatures; and therefore his works endure for ever (Ecc 3:14) because the righteousness of them endures. 4. They are admirable and memorable, fit to be registered and kept on record. Much that we do is so trifling that it is not fit to be spoken of or told again; the greatest kindness is to forget it. But notice is to be taken of God's works, and an account to be kept of them (Psa 111:4). He has made his wonderful works to be remembered; he has done that which is worthy to be remembered, which cannot but be remembered, and he has instituted ways and means for the keeping of some of them in remembrance, as the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt by the passover. He has made himself a memorial by his wonderful works (so some read it); see Isa 63:10. By that which God did with his glorious arm he made himself an everlasting name. 5. They are very kind. In them the Lord shows that he is gracious and full of compassion. As of the works of creation, so of the works of providence, we must say, They are not only all very great, but all very good. Dr. Hammond takes this to be the name which God has made to himself by his wonderful works, the same with that which he proclaimed to Moses, The Lord God is gracious and merciful, Exo 24:6. God's pardoning sin is the most wonderful of all his works and which ought to be remembered to his glory. It is a further instance of his grace and compassion that he has given meat to those that fear him, Psa 111:5. He gives them their daily bread, food convenient for them; so he does to others by common providence, but to those that fear him he gives it by covenant and in pursuance of the promise, for it follows, He will be ever mindful of his covenant; so that they can taste covenant-love even in common mercies. Some refer this to the manna with which God fed his people Israel in the wilderness, others to the spoil they got from the Egyptians when they came out with great substance, according to the promise, Gen 15:14. When God broke the heads of leviathan he gave him to be meat to his people, Psa 74:14. He has given prey to those that fear him (so the margin has it), not only fed them, but enriched them, and given their enemies to be a prey to them. 6. They are earnests of what he will do, according to his promise: He will ever be mindful of his covenant, for he has ever been so; and, as he never did, so he never will, let one jot or tittle of it fall to the ground. Though God's people have their infirmities, and are often unmindful of his commands, yet he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 111
"Confession and glorious deeds are His work" [Psalm 111:3]. What is a more glorious deed than to justify the ungodly? But perhaps the work of man prevents that glorious work of God, so that when he has confessed his sins, he deserves to be justified....This is the glorious work of the Lord: for he loves most, to whom most is forgiven. [Luke 7:42-48] This is the glorious work of the Lord: for "where sin abounded, there did grace much more abound." [Romans 5:20] But perhaps a man would deserve justification from works. "Not," says he, "of works, lest any man boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." [Ephesians 2:9-10] For a man works not righteousness save he be justified: but by "believing on Him that justifies the ungodly," [Romans 4:5] he begins with faith; that good may not by preceding show what he has deserved, but by following what he has received....
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 111:3 profoundly declares the inherent excellence and eternal nature of God's character and actions. It asserts that every work of the Lord is intrinsically honorable and glorious, reflecting His divine majesty, beauty, and perfection. Concurrently, it affirms the perpetual and unwavering constancy of His righteousness, emphasizing His immutable moral integrity, justice, and faithfulness across all generations. This verse serves as a foundational declaration within the psalm, providing compelling reasons for the believer's worship, trust, and awe of the Almighty.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 111:3 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically a form of synthetic or synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("and his righteousness endureth for ever") expands upon and reinforces the idea presented in the first ("His work [is] honourable and glorious"). While the first clause describes the magnificent quality of God's actions, the second emphasizes the eternal nature of His character, which undergirds those actions. This creates a cumulative effect, deepening the worshiper's understanding of God's greatness by connecting His deeds to His unchanging essence. The use of strong, evocative Attributive Language through adjectives like "honourable" and "glorious," combined with the emphatic "endureth for ever," serves to define and magnify God's attributes, leaving no doubt about His supreme excellence. Furthermore, the psalm's overarching Acrostic Structure, though not directly evident in this single verse, subtly contributes to the sense of completeness and perfect order in the praise offered to God, reinforcing the idea that His character and works are entirely comprehensive and flawlessly executed.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration that God's work is "honourable and glorious" and His "righteousness endureth for ever" forms a cornerstone of biblical theology. It speaks to the absolute reliability and perfection of the Creator and Redeemer. God's glorious works are not merely displays of raw power, but expressions of His intrinsic holiness, wisdom, and love, always executed with perfect justice and for His ultimate glory. His eternal righteousness assures humanity that His character is unwavering, His judgments are true, and His covenant promises are utterly dependable. This truth establishes a secure foundation for faith, providing comfort in times of uncertainty and a clear standard for moral living. It implies that ultimately, God's perfect order and justice will prevail, offering hope for the future and demanding a response of worship and obedience from all creation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 111:3 calls us to a profound contemplation of God's nature, moving us beyond superficial appreciation to a deep reverence for His character. Recognizing that God's work is "honourable and glorious" should transform our perspective on creation, providence, and redemption. It compels us to seek His hand in every detail of life, from the intricate beauty of a snowflake to the grand sweep of human history, seeing His divine signature of perfection and purpose. This truth inspires a worship that is not based on fleeting emotions but on the stable reality of His magnificent deeds. Furthermore, the assurance that "His righteousness endureth for ever" provides an unshakable anchor in a world characterized by moral ambiguity, shifting values, and pervasive injustice. It means we can consistently rely on His promises, trust in His judgments, and have absolute confidence that He will always act in accordance with His perfect, unchanging character. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of security and peace, empowering us to live lives that reflect His righteousness, pursuing justice and integrity in our own spheres of influence, knowing that our efforts are aligned with His eternal nature.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that God's "work is honourable and glorious"?
Answer: It means that all of God's actions, from the vastness of creation to the intricacies of His redemptive plan and His ongoing providence, possess inherent dignity, splendor, and perfection. They are not merely effective or powerful, but they are also beautiful, just, and awe-inspiring, reflecting His divine nature. This can be observed in the intricate design of the universe and in His powerful acts of deliverance for His people, such as the crossing of the Red Sea. His work is worthy of the highest honor and admiration because it perfectly expresses His wisdom, power, and holiness.
How is God's "righteousness enduring forever" relevant to me today?
Answer: God's eternal righteousness signifies that His moral perfection, justice, and faithfulness are unwavering and unchanging through all generations. In a world often marked by moral relativism, shifting values, and unreliable human promises, this truth provides an absolute anchor of stability and reliability. It assures us that His promises are steadfast and true, that He will always act justly, and that His character is the ultimate standard of rightness. This enduring righteousness invites our complete trust, inspires hope even in the face of injustice, and calls us to pursue righteousness in our own lives, knowing that we are aligning with the eternal nature of God Himself.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 111:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "work" of God, the very embodiment of God's "honourable and glorious" deeds. In Him, God's creative power is revealed, for all things were created through Him and for Him. More significantly, Christ's redemptive work on the cross is the supreme display of God's glorious plan, a work of unparalleled honor and splendor that perfectly reconciles humanity to God. This act supremely demonstrates God's righteousness, for it is through Christ's sacrifice that God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. The "righteousness [that] endureth for ever" is fully revealed in Christ, who is Himself our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30). His perfect obedience and atoning death satisfy the demands of God's eternal justice, and His righteousness is graciously imputed to all who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, in Jesus, we behold the glorious work of God and receive the enduring righteousness that is eternal, providing the unshakable foundation for our hope and salvation.