Psalms 111:6

ยถ He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

He hath shewed {H5046} his people {H5971} the power {H3581} of his works {H4639}, that he may give {H5414} them the heritage {H5159} of the heathen {H1471}.

He shows his people how powerfully he works by giving them the nations as their heritage.

He has shown His people the power of His works by giving them the inheritance of the nations.

He hath showed his people the power of his works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.

Commentary

Psalm 111:6 is a verse of praise, reflecting on God's incredible power and faithfulness displayed throughout Israel's history. It highlights how the Lord, through His mighty deeds, secured the promised land for His people, fulfilling His covenant.

Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm (though this structure isn't visible in English translations), part of a series of Hallelujah Psalms (Psalms 111-118) that begin or end with "Praise the Lord." This particular psalm focuses on extolling God's great and wondrous works, His righteousness, mercy, and truth. The preceding verses praise God for His provision and redemption, particularly His covenant with His people. Verse 6 specifically looks back at a monumental act of God's power: the giving of the land of Canaan to Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes "the power of his works," showcasing God's absolute authority and ability to accomplish His purposes. This refers to the miraculous interventions, such as the deliverance from Egypt and the subsequent conquest of Canaan, which were not by Israel's might but by God's hand.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: God's act of giving "the heritage of the heathen" directly fulfills His ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land. This demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, a theme central to the Old Testament narrative. See Genesis 12:7.
  • Inheritance and Provision: The phrase "the heritage of the heathen" refers to the land of Canaan, which was inhabited by various pagan nations. God dispossessed these nations due to their wickedness and gave their land as an inheritance (Hebrew: nachalat) to Israel. This underscores God's role as the ultimate provider and sovereign over all nations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "works" (ืžึทืขึฒืฉื‚ึธื™ื• - ma'asaw) denotes deeds or accomplishments, often with a sense of awe and wonder, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's actions. The term "heritage" (ื ึทื—ึฒืœึทืช - nachalat) signifies an inheritance or allotted possession, emphasizing that the land was a divine gift, not something earned or conquered by human strength alone. "Heathen" (ื’ึผื•ึนื™ึดื - goyim) refers to the Gentile nations, specifically the pagan inhabitants of Canaan whom God judged.

Reflection and Application

Psalm 111:6 reminds believers today that God remains active and powerful on behalf of His people. Just as He acted decisively to secure an earthly inheritance for Israel, He continues to work in the lives of His followers, providing for their needs and securing their eternal spiritual inheritance. This verse encourages us to remember God's past faithfulness as a foundation for trusting Him in present challenges. It affirms that God is sovereign over all nations and circumstances, capable of fulfilling every promise He makes. We can draw strength from knowing that the same God who performed these mighty works in the past is still at work today, demonstrating His power and faithfulness for those who fear Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 80:8

    ยถ Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

  • Psalms 2:8

    Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.

  • Psalms 44:2

    [How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

  • Psalms 78:12

    Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, [in] the field of Zoan.

  • Psalms 78:72

    So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

  • Joshua 3:14

    ยถ And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

  • Joshua 3:17

    And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
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