Psalms 111:4

Psalms 111:4 beautifully highlights two core aspects of God's nature and actions: His intentionality in ensuring His mighty deeds are remembered, and His unchanging character of grace and compassion. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and kindness towards His creation.

Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, meaning each successive line (or half-line in Hebrew) begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, emphasizing its comprehensive praise of God. It is a "Hallelujah" psalm, opening with "Praise ye the LORD." The psalm systematically recounts God's magnificent works, particularly His acts of deliverance and covenant faithfulness to Israel. Verse 4 fits within this flow, explaining why God's works are remembered: because He purposed it so, and because these works reveal His inherent goodness. The preceding verses speak of His "great" and "honourable" works, and His "righteousness endureth for ever."

Key Themes

• Divine Remembrance: The phrase "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered" emphasizes God's active role in preserving the memory of His deeds. This isn't passive recollection but an intentional divine act, ensuring that generations can reflect on His power and faithfulness. These "wonderful works" (Hebrew: niphla'ot) refer to His miraculous and extraordinary interventions in history, such as the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna, and the establishment of His covenant.
• God's Gracious Character: The verse explicitly states, "the LORD is gracious and full of compassion." This is a foundational declaration of God's character, echoing His self-revelation to Moses (see Exodus 34:6). His grace (Hebrew: ḥannun) denotes His benevolent favor and kindness, often extended to the undeserving.
• God's Compassion: "Full of compassion" (Hebrew: raḥum) speaks of a deep, tender mercy, often likened to a parent's loving care for a child. It signifies a profound empathy and a desire to relieve suffering. This compassionate nature underpins all of God's "wonderful works" and explains why He acts for the good of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse are rich with meaning:

• "Wonderful works" is from the Hebrew niphla'ot (נִפְלָאוֹת), often translated as "marvelous deeds" or "miracles." It signifies acts that are extraordinary, beyond human capability, and inspire awe and wonder.
• "Gracious" comes from ḥannun (חַנּוּן), indicating a disposition of kindness, favor, and mercy, often in the context of covenant relationship.
• "Full of compassion" is from raḥum (רַחוּם), which conveys deep, tender mercy, akin to the love and care a mother feels for her child. It speaks to God's profound empathy and readiness to show pity and kindness.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to:

1. Remember God's Faithfulness: Just as God ensures His works are remembered, we are called to actively recall His past mercies and mighty acts in our own lives and in history. This remembrance strengthens faith and fosters a spirit of gratitude.
2. Trust His Character: Knowing that the LORD is "gracious and full of compassion" provides a solid foundation for trust, especially in times of difficulty. We can approach Him with confidence, knowing His nature is to show kindness and mercy.
3. Proclaim His Goodness: Our remembrance should lead to praise and proclamation. We are called to share God's wonderful works and His gracious character with others, just as the Psalmist does. This active witness contributes to God's works being "remembered" through generations, inspiring others to seek and trust Him (see also Psalms 9:1).