Psalms 111:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 111:6 extols God's unparalleled power and faithfulness, vividly demonstrated through His historical interventions on behalf of Israel. It specifically highlights how the Lord, by His mighty and awe-inspiring deeds, dispossessed the pagan nations from the land of Canaan and graciously bestowed it upon His covenant people as their promised inheritance. This verse serves as a profound declaration of God's sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to fulfill His promises, showcasing His justice in judgment and His benevolence in provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 111 is a meticulously crafted acrostic psalm, with each successive half-line of the Hebrew text beginning with a consecutive letter of the alphabet (though this structure is not evident in English translations). It belongs to a collection known as the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 111-118), which typically begin or end with the exhortation "Praise the Lord!" (Hebrew: *Hallelujah*). This psalm specifically focuses on celebrating the glorious and wondrous works of God, emphasizing His righteousness, mercy, and truth. The preceding verses (111:1-5) establish a foundation of praise for God's great deeds, His provision for His people, and His enduring covenant. Verse 6 then zeroes in on a monumental historical act: God's powerful intervention to secure the land of Canaan for Israel, directly following the theme of God's "redemption" (v. 9) and His "everlasting covenant" (v. 9).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 111:6 is the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent conquest and settlement of the land of Canaan. For ancient Israel, land was not merely property but a tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness and a central component of their national identity and security. The "heritage of the heathen" refers to the land of Canaan, which was inhabited by various pagan nations (e.g., Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites). God's command to dispossess these nations (as seen in [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Dispossess Nations")) was rooted in their idolatry, moral depravity, and rejection of the one true God. The transfer of this land from the "heathen" to Israel underscored God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, His justice in judging wickedness, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, fulfilling ancient promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their inheritance of the land ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")).
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Power and Sovereignty:** The phrase "the power of his works" profoundly emphasizes God's absolute authority and omnipotent ability to accomplish His purposes. This refers to the miraculous interventions of God throughout Israel's history, from the plagues in Egypt and the [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea") to the miraculous [conquest of Jericho](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho") and the subsequent settlement of Canaan. These were not achievements of Israel's military might but direct demonstrations of God's hand at work.
* **Covenant Faithfulness:** God's act of giving "the heritage of the heathen" directly fulfills His ancient promises to the patriarchs regarding the land. This concrete act of provision demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with His people, a central and recurring theme throughout the Old Testament narrative, reinforcing His reliability and trustworthiness.
* **Inheritance and Provision:** The term "heritage" (Hebrew: *nachalat*) signifies an inheritance or allotted possession, emphasizing that the land was a divine gift, freely given, rather than something earned or conquered by human strength alone. God dispossessed the pagan nations due to their wickedness and sovereignly gave their land as an inheritance to Israel, thereby underscoring His role as the ultimate provider and His supreme authority over all nations and their territories.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Works (Hebrew, _ma'asaw'_):** This term refers to deeds, accomplishments, or acts, often carrying a connotation of awe-inspiring or miraculous actions. In the context of God, *ma'asaw* frequently denotes His creative acts (e.g., [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")) and His powerful interventions in history, particularly those demonstrating His redemptive and providential care for His people. Here, it specifically points to the mighty acts of deliverance and conquest.
* **Heritage (Hebrew, _nachalat'_):** Signifying an inheritance, possession, or allotted portion, *nachalat* emphasizes something received as a gift or by right of succession, rather than something earned through labor or conquest. In the Old Testament, it is frequently used to describe the land of Canaan as Israel's divine inheritance, a tangible expression of God's covenant promises and His gracious provision.
* **Heathen (Hebrew, _goyim'_):** This plural term refers to nations or Gentiles. In this context, *goyim* specifically denotes the non-Israelite, pagan inhabitants of Canaan whom God judged and dispossessed. It highlights their status as outside the covenant community of Israel and subject to God's sovereign judgment due to their idolatry and wickedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath shewed his people":** The subject "He" unequivocally refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel. This clause emphasizes God's active, intentional, and public revelation of Himself and His character to His chosen people, Israel. It implies a demonstration that is undeniable and meant to instruct and assure.
* **"the power of his works":** This phrase directly refers to the magnificent and mighty deeds performed by God throughout Israel's history, particularly those associated with the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. These "works" are characterized by their immense power, signifying God's omnipotence and His ability to overcome any obstacle to accomplish His divine will.
* **"that he may give them the heritage of the heathen":** This is a purpose clause, explaining *why* God displayed the power of His works. The ultimate goal was to fulfill His covenant promise by dispossessing the *goyim* (heathen nations) from Canaan and bestowing their land (*nachalat*, heritage) upon Israel. This act was not merely a territorial transfer but a profound theological statement about God's justice, His sovereignty over all nations, and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 111:6 employs several literary devices to enhance its message. The primary device is **Divine Agency**, with the psalmist consistently attributing all significant actions to God ("He hath shewed," "that He may give"). This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and power as the sole mover of history, rather than human effort. There is also an implicit **Cause and Effect** relationship: God's powerful works are the cause, and the giving of the land as an inheritance is the effect. The phrase "heritage of the heathen" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "heathen" stands for the land previously occupied by them, highlighting the transfer of ownership through divine decree. Furthermore, as part of an acrostic psalm, the underlying **Acrostic Structure** (though not visible in translation) contributes to a sense of completeness, order, and divine perfection in the recounting of God's works, suggesting that every aspect of His character and actions is perfectly aligned.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 111:6 stands as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His omnipotence and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The giving of the land of Canaan was not merely a political or military victory for Israel, but a profound theological act that underscored God's justice in judging the wicked and His benevolence in providing for His chosen people. This historical event serves as a foundational reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and circumstances, capable of dispossessing the powerful and elevating the humble according to His righteous will. It encourages believers to look back at God's past faithfulness as a solid ground for trusting Him in present and future challenges, knowing that the same powerful God continues to work on behalf of those who fear Him.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - God's Command to Dispossess Nations")
* [Psalm 78:55](/psalms/78-55 "Psalm 78:55 - God's Allotment of Inheritance to Israel")
* [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Spiritual Inheritance in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 111:6 invites us to pause and reflect on the magnificent display of God's power and His unwavering commitment to His people throughout history. Just as God decisively acted to secure a physical inheritance for Israel, He continues to work powerfully in the lives of His followers today, providing for their needs and securing their eternal spiritual inheritance. This verse serves as a potent reminder that our God is not a distant deity but an active, sovereign, and faithful Lord who intervenes on behalf of those who trust Him. Remembering God's past faithfulness, as vividly depicted in the giving of the land, provides a robust foundation for our faith in the face of contemporary challenges. It affirms that the same God who orchestrated the grand narrative of Israel's inheritance is still at work, demonstrating His power and faithfulness in every generation, ensuring that His promises will never fail. We are called to live in confident trust, knowing that our ultimate inheritance is secure in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have you witnessed God's "powerful works" in your own life or in the history of the church?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, as demonstrated in Psalm 111:6, strengthen your trust in Him for future challenges or uncertainties?**
* **What "heritage" or spiritual blessings has God given you in Christ, and how does this verse encourage you to appreciate and live in light of them?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the heritage of the heathen"?**

Answer: "The heritage of the heathen" refers to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. Its significance is multifaceted: first, it demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and territories, showing He can dispossess one people and give their land to another according to His righteous judgment. Second, it highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, as the land was a central component of the Abrahamic covenant ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). Third, it underscores God's justice; the "heathen" (Canaanite nations) were dispossessed due to their profound wickedness and idolatry, making their land a rightful judgment and a divine gift to Israel. It was a tangible, physical manifestation of God's power and commitment to His people.

**How does this verse relate to God's character?**

Answer: Psalm 111:6 profoundly reveals several aspects of God's character. It showcases His **omnipotence** and **power**, as only an all-powerful God could orchestrate such a massive transfer of land. It underscores His **faithfulness** to His covenant promises, proving that He always keeps His word. It also highlights His **righteousness** and **justice**, as He judged the wicked nations while providing for His chosen people. Furthermore, it reveals His **benevolence** and **providence**, as He actively works on behalf of His people to secure their well-being and fulfill His divine plan. The verse paints a picture of a God who is actively involved in history, sovereign over all, and utterly dependable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 111:6 speaks of a physical inheritance for Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual resonance are found in Jesus Christ. The "power of his works" demonstrated in the conquest of Canaan foreshadows the infinitely greater power of God displayed in the person and work of Christ. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), disarmed spiritual "heathen"—the powers and principalities of darkness—through His death and resurrection, triumphing over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Through Him, believers receive an eternal, spiritual "heritage" that is far superior to any earthly land—an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven" for them ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). We, as believers, are no longer defined by an earthly territory but by our union with Christ, becoming [heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"), inheriting all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). The ultimate "heritage" is not a conquered land but the new heavens and new earth, where God dwells with His people forever, a reality secured by Christ's finished work ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 80:8

¶ 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

¶ 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.