Psalms 111:5

Psalms 111:5 is a powerful declaration of God's character, emphasizing His divine provision for His people and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. This verse encapsulates two fundamental aspects of God's relationship with humanity: His active care and His steadfast reliability.

Context

Psalm 111 is a hymn of praise, an acrostic poem (each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet), celebrating the greatness of God's works and His righteousness. The psalmist extols the Lord for His wonderful deeds, His mercy, and His truth. Verse 5 fits seamlessly into this narrative, highlighting God's practical demonstration of His goodness through sustenance and His theological consistency through covenant remembrance. The psalm as a whole encourages reflection on God's perfect character and His just administration of the world.

Key Themes

• Divine Provision for the God-Fearing: The phrase "He hath given meat unto them that fear him" speaks to God's active and benevolent provision for those who honor Him. The "meat" (Hebrew: ṭereph) signifies sustenance, food, or even spoil, indicating that God not only provides but does so abundantly and powerfully. This provision isn't limited to physical nourishment but extends to all that is needed for life and godliness, demonstrating God's attentive care for His faithful.
  This theme resonates with promises found elsewhere, such as in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus teaches that seeking God's kingdom first will result in all necessary things being added.
• The Fear of the Lord: "Them that fear him" refers to those who hold God in reverential awe, respect His commandments, and live in obedience to His will. This is not a cowering dread, but a profound respect that leads to trust and devotion. It is this posture of humble reverence that positions individuals to receive God's blessings and experience His faithfulness. The concept of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom is a cornerstone of biblical understanding.
• God's Enduring Covenant Faithfulness: The declaration "he will ever be mindful of his covenant" underscores God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Throughout biblical history, God entered into various covenants (e.g., with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David), establishing relationships and making solemn commitments. This verse assures believers that God never forgets or reneges on these agreements. His faithfulness is eternal and immutable, providing a secure foundation for faith and hope. This divine characteristic is central to understanding God's relationship with Israel and ultimately with all humanity through the New Covenant established in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "meat" is ṭereph (טֶרֶף), which can mean "prey," "food," or "sustenance." Its usage here emphasizes God's active and powerful provision, much like a hunter provides for his family, or a shepherd provides for his flock.
• "Fear him" comes from the Hebrew root yare (ירא), which denotes not just terror but a profound reverence, awe, and respect that leads to obedience and worship.
• "Covenant" is beriyth (בְּרִית) in Hebrew, signifying a solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often initiated by God, which establishes a relationship and outlines mutual responsibilities and blessings.

Practical Application

Psalms 111:5 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today:

1. Trust in God's Provision: This verse encourages us to trust God for our daily needs, both physical and spiritual. When we live in reverence for Him, we can be confident in His promise to provide.
2. Cultivate Reverence for God: It reminds us that a right relationship with God, characterized by awe and obedience, is foundational to experiencing His blessings and provision.
3. Rest in God's Faithfulness: In a world filled with broken promises, this verse serves as an anchor, assuring us that God's covenant faithfulness is eternal and unchanging. We can rely on His promises, knowing He will always be mindful of them.