TRV
Translation
King James Version
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
KJV (with Strong's)
He hath made H6213 his wonderful works H6381 to be remembered H2143: the LORD H3068 is gracious H2587 and full of compassion H7349.
Complete Jewish Bible
He has gained renown for his wonders. ADONAI is merciful and compassionate.
Berean Standard Bible
He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
American Standard Version
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful.
World English Bible Messianic
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. The LORD is gracious and merciful.
Geneva Bible (1599)
He hath made his wonderfull workes to be had in remembrance: the Lord is mercifull and full of compassion.
Young's Literal Translation
A memorial He hath made of His wonders, Gracious and merciful is Jehovah.
In the KJVVerse 15,798 of 31,102
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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
"He has made His wonderful works to be remembered" [Psalm 111:4]: by abasing this man, exalting that. Reserving unusual miracles for a fit season, that thus human weakness, intent upon novelty, may remember them, although His daily miracles be greater. He created so many trees throughout the whole earth, and no one wonders: He dried up one with a word, and the hearts of mortals were thunderstruck. [Matthew 21:19-20] For that miracle, which has not through its frequency become common, will cling most firmly to the heart. But of what use were the miracles, save that He might be feared?
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 111:4 profoundly articulates God's deliberate intention to ensure His magnificent deeds are perpetually remembered, while simultaneously revealing the unchanging essence of His character as infinitely gracious and deeply compassionate. This verse serves as a foundational theological statement, assuring believers across all generations that divine intervention in history is not arbitrary but purposeful, flowing from an inexhaustible wellspring of divine favor and tender mercy. It underscores the vital truth that God's omnipotence is consistently wielded in perfect harmony with His profound love for His creation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 111 is meticulously structured as an acrostic, where each successive half-line (or sometimes a full line) begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This sophisticated literary device emphasizes the psalm's comprehensive and perfect praise of God, suggesting that every aspect of His character and works is worthy of systematic extolment and complete remembrance. Within verse 4 itself, synthetic parallelism is prominently employed, where the second clause ("the LORD is gracious and full of compassion") expands upon and explains the first clause ("He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered"). The remembrance of God's works is thus shown to be a direct consequence and revelation of His inherent character of grace and compassion; His powerful deeds are not arbitrary but are profound expressions of His benevolent nature. Furthermore, the pairing of "gracious" and "full of compassion" functions as a form of hendiadys, where two distinct words are used to express a single, intensified concept of divine benevolence, providing a rich and comprehensive description of God's merciful disposition. The psalm as a whole, by recounting God's deeds and declaring His attributes, acts as a form of theophany, revealing God's character and presence not through a direct physical appearance but through the profound impact of His historical actions and His unchanging attributes.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a theological cornerstone, asserting that God's actions in history are not merely powerful displays but deliberate revelations of His character. The remembrance of His "wonderful works" is intrinsically linked to His unchanging nature as "gracious and full of compassion." This connection highlights a fundamental truth: divine power is always exercised within the bounds of divine love and mercy. It assures humanity that God's interventions are purposeful, designed to uphold His covenant and demonstrate His benevolent care, inviting a response of trust and worship. The consistent portrayal of God as both mighty in deed and tender in heart provides a secure foundation for faith, reminding believers that His power is always directed by His goodness, ensuring His deeds are not only remembered but cherished.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world perpetually prone to forgetting and succumbing to cynicism, Psalms 111:4 issues a profound call to intentional remembrance of God's active presence and benevolent character. It invites us to pause and reflect deeply on the "wonderful works" God has performed, both in the grand sweep of redemptive history (from the marvel of creation to the ultimate redemption wrought by Christ) and in the intimate details of our personal lives. This remembrance is not merely an intellectual exercise but a profound spiritual discipline that cultivates profound gratitude, strengthens unwavering faith, and fosters a deeper, more abiding trust in the One who is inherently "gracious and full of compassion." When we consciously recall His past faithfulness and the consistent demonstration of His character, we gain courage to face present challenges and future uncertainties, knowing with absolute certainty that His nature is unchanging and His mercy endures through all generations. This verse encourages us to live lives marked by grateful praise, actively testifying to God's goodness and ensuring His works are remembered by future generations, thereby participating in God's own purpose for His glorious deeds.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What are "wonderful works" in the context of this psalm?
Answer: The "wonderful works" (pâlâʼ, H6381) refer primarily to God's miraculous, extraordinary, and awe-inspiring acts of salvation and deliverance throughout Israel's history. These encompass foundational events like the Exodus from Egypt, the solemn giving of the Law at Sinai, His faithful provision in the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan. They are deeds that inspire profound awe, demonstrate God's unique power and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, and ultimately reveal His glory and sovereign purpose.
Why does the psalm emphasize that God "made his wonderful works to be remembered"?
Answer: This phrase highlights God's active and deliberate role in ensuring His deeds are not forgotten by humanity. It's not a passive recollection on our part but a divine intention that His acts of power and love would be perpetually recalled by His people. This divine orchestration of remembrance serves several crucial purposes: it profoundly fosters worship and gratitude, reinforces His unwavering covenant faithfulness, provides a secure basis for trust in future divine interventions, and serves as an indispensable teaching tool for successive generations, as powerfully articulated in passages like Deuteronomy 6:6-7. God desires that His character, revealed through His works, remains central to His people's identity and faith, ensuring an enduring legacy of His goodness.
How do "gracious" and "full of compassion" describe God's character?
Answer: These two profound attributes, channûwn (gracious, H2587) and rachûwm (full of compassion, H7349), are frequently paired in Scripture to comprehensively describe God's benevolent and merciful nature. "Gracious" speaks to God's unmerited favor and inherent kindness, His willingness to bestow blessings and extend favor even upon the undeserving. "Full of compassion" (or merciful) conveys a deep, tender empathy, often likened to a parent's profound love and pity for a child. This powerful pairing emphasizes that God's immense power and perfect justice are always tempered and guided by His boundless love and profound desire for the well-being of His creation, especially His covenant people. This declaration is a cornerstone of God's self-revelation, notably and powerfully expressed in Exodus 34:6.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 111:4, with its profound declaration of God's wonderful works and His inherently gracious, compassionate character, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "wonderful works" of God, which the Old Testament commanded to be remembered and celebrated, culminate in the unparalleled work of redemption accomplished through Christ. His miraculous incarnation, His life of perfect obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection are the supreme and most definitive demonstrations of God's power and love, ensuring that His name and deeds are remembered forever. Jesus is the very embodiment of God's grace (channûwn), as He freely offers salvation and forgiveness to the undeserving, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is also the perfect manifestation of God's compassion (rachûwm), consistently moved by the suffering of humanity, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and ultimately laying down His life for His sheep, as beautifully depicted throughout the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 9:36). Through Christ, God's wonderful works are not just remembered as historical events but are made eternally present and efficacious, inviting all to experience His boundless grace and compassion, leading to a new covenant remembrance in the Lord's Supper. He is the ultimate expression of the LORD who is "gracious and full of compassion," ensuring that His redemptive work will be remembered throughout all generations until His glorious return, as promised in Revelation 22:20.