Psalm 111: The Works of the LORD
Psalms 111 and 112 are acrostic psalms with 22 letters beginning 22 stanzas. God’s works are the primary subject of Psalm 111. This Psalm brings up in my mind the battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. If God is God follow Him and if Baal is god follow him was Elijah’s admonition. Elijah was confident that His God works and we can be sure that God is a God who is alive and works. This Psalm will give believers hope that all other gods are false and can do nothing. Our God has done great things!
Psalm 111:1-6: Thanksgiving because of God’s Works.
The first two verses highlight our personal response to the great works of the Lord. First, we should give thanks among other believers and second we should study the works of the Lord. These two commands are qualified by ‘with all my heart’ and ‘delight in them.’ When we give thanks for God’s works we should do it with all of our heart. Why? Because the works always impact our lives for Gods good will. Study means to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require. When you reread the Old Testament you will find many great things that the Lord has done. We should study them.
In vss.3-6 God describes the works as those that are splendid, majestic, wonderful, and powerful. In vs.3-4 God makes 2 great statements about Himself: His righteousness endures forever and the Lord is gracious and compassionate. All the works of the Lord have the quality of righteousness, grace, and compassion. Even the hard things that God did are filled with these qualities like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. How so?
In vss.5-6 God lists how He has worked on behalf of His people Israel. What did He do? When did God give Israel the heritage of the nations? Look up these passages and mark what you learn about heritage? (Another word for heritage is inheritance) Jer.2:7, 12:7, 17:4, Ezekiel 36:12, 48:29, Psalm 33:12, 47:4, 78:55, 94:14?
Psalm 111: 7-10: Works and the Word
See how God links His works with His words. Works of the Lord reflect the twin characteristics of truth and justice. This giving of the Word is a Work of God and we are reminded that all of His precepts are sure and eternal. Just as the works of God impact us forever, so the Word of God is eternal and will have an eternal impact. The result of the work and word of God is found in vs. 9, “He has sent redemption to His people, He has ordained His covenant forever.” Israel and likewise, all believers can depend on the covenant because God has made it for eternity. Our salvation is eternal and so is the Abrahamic covenant. The basis of salvation in the Abrahamic covenant is eternal and so is our covenant, the New Covenant. God concludes this Psalm with an admonition that we find in Proverbs, ‘the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom a good understanding have all those who do His commandments, His praise endures forever.” Review through the Psalm all that is eternal? Depend on His promise today!
