Psalm 111 – A Detailed Explanation

Introduction

Psalm 111 is a brief yet profound hymn of praise that extols the greatness and majesty of the Lord. As one of the Hallelujah Psalms, it begins with the phrase “Praise the Lord” (Hebrew: Hallelujah). This psalm stands as a rich theological treasure that praises God for His works, His character, and His enduring covenant with His people.

Structurally, Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm — each line begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This literary form was often used to aid memorization and to convey a sense of completeness. Theologically, Psalm 111 is closely related to Psalm 112, which follows the same acrostic pattern and focuses on the righteous man who fears the Lord, effectively presenting a balance between God's character (Psalm 111) and the character of the godly (Psalm 112).

Let’s now go verse by verse through Psalm 111, offering explanation, context, and application.

Verse 1 – “Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.”

This opening sets the tone with the call to praise (Hallelujah). The psalmist makes a personal commitment to praise God wholeheartedly — not just in private devotion but publicly, in the community of the faithful.

The phrase “with all my heart” indicates sincerity and total devotion. The “council of the upright” and “assembly” refer to the gathering of God’s people, possibly during temple worship. The psalmist understands that praising God is not merely personal but also communal — a shared joy.

Key Themes:

Wholehearted worship
The importance of community in praise
Sincerity in devotion

Verse 2 – “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”

The psalmist now moves into the reason for praise — God's works. These “works” refer both to God’s acts in creation and His redemptive acts in history (especially the Exodus and provision for Israel).

To “ponder” God’s works is to meditate deeply, not merely observe. This shows that God's deeds are not superficial; they are worthy of reflection, study, and reverence.

Key Insights:

The greatness of God's works invites meditation.
Those who delight in God will naturally dwell on what He has done.

Verse 3 – “Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.”

The deeds of the Lord are described as glorious and majestic — terms that reflect both power and beauty. These qualities elevate God's actions beyond mere utility or force; they are aesthetically and morally magnificent.

His righteousness, which includes His justice and moral perfection, is not temporary or changeable. It endures forever, anchoring His people in the unchanging nature of His character.

Reflections:

God’s deeds are expressions of His glory.
His moral integrity is timeless and trustworthy.

Verse 4 – “He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.”

This verse hints at the intentionality of God — He makes His wonders memorable. This echoes the tradition of Israel in celebrating feasts (like Passover) to recall God's acts.

The attributes “gracious and compassionate” are rooted in Exodus 34:6, where God reveals His name to Moses. These qualities form the emotional and relational core of God's character, especially in His dealings with a flawed people.

Application:

God wants us to remember His acts — memory as a spiritual discipline.
His grace and compassion invite intimacy, not fear.

Verse 5 – “He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.”

The “food” here could be literal (like manna in the wilderness) or symbolic, referring to all forms of divine provision. The recipients are “those who fear Him” — not terrified, but reverently devoted.

Importantly, God “remembers His covenant.” In biblical language, God’s remembrance is active loyalty to His promises. His covenant is not forgotten or outdated but perpetually honored.

Theological Note:

Divine remembrance is not passive but redemptive.
God’s provision flows from His faithfulness to covenant promises.

Verse 6 – “He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.”

This verse likely refers to the conquest of Canaan, when God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by giving Israel the land. The power of His works includes victory over mighty enemies, fulfilling what seemed impossible.

This is a reminder that God’s acts are not abstract but have real, tangible outcomes in the lives of His people.

Implication:

God’s promises are not spiritual only — they touch every area of life.
His power is revealed through fulfillment and conquest.

Verse 7 – “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.”

The phrase “works of his hands” combines physical imagery with moral meaning. God doesn’t just act — He acts faithfully and justly.

His precepts — divine laws or instructions — are described as “trustworthy.” This bridges what God does with what He says. His actions and commands are coherent and reliable.

For Us:

We can trust both God’s character and His commands.
Justice and faithfulness are not in tension in God — they are united.

Verse 8 – “They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.”

This verse reinforces the eternal nature of God’s instructions and works. They are not subject to change, unlike human laws or moods.

God’s “faithfulness and uprightness” reflect His consistent moral reliability. He never violates His own standards. What He decrees is right and lasting.

Reflection:

God's standards are eternal and morally perfect.
Our security comes from His consistency.

Verse 9 – “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name.”

This is a theological high point. “Redemption” likely refers to the Exodus, but it also points ahead to all God's acts of salvation, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (for Christian readers).

The phrase “ordained his covenant forever” links with the previous themes of God’s enduring promises. “Holy and awesome is His name” is a final stamp of reverence — His name (which represents His person) inspires awe.

Themes:

Redemption is central to God's relationship with His people.
God's name, reflecting His nature, evokes reverence.

Verse 10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

This final verse is also found in Proverbs 9:10. The psalm ends with a transition from worship to wisdom.

True wisdom begins with reverence for God — not mere knowledge, but rightly ordered living under God’s rule. Those who “follow His precepts” don’t just think wisely, they live wisely. The psalm ends with the fitting declaration that to God belongs eternal praise — the only proper response to all that precedes.

Life Application:

Worship and wisdom are interconnected.
God deserves not temporary applause but eternal praise.

Themes and Theology of Psalm 111

1. Praise as Response to Revelation

Psalm 111 shows that worship is a response to who God is and what He has done. Each line declares a new facet of God's greatness — creation, redemption, provision, covenantal faithfulness, justice, and wisdom.

2. The Covenant God

Repeated references to God's covenant highlight the centrality of His promises to His people. God is not distant; He is involved in human history, guiding and providing for those who are in relationship with Him.

3. God’s Works and God’s Word

There is a close interplay between God’s actions (works) and instructions (precepts). Both are trustworthy, permanent, and righteous.

4. The Fear of the Lord

Reverence toward God is the foundational attitude that leads to wisdom, obedience, and ultimately joy. The psalm celebrates this posture as the starting point of a wise and godly life.

Psalm 111 in Christian Interpretation

While Psalm 111 stands fully on its own in the Hebrew Scriptures, Christian readers often see foreshadowings of Christ:

The redemption (v.9) is seen as pointing forward to the work of Christ on the cross.
The eternal covenant is interpreted as fulfilled in the New Covenant (see Luke 22:20).
The call to remember God’s works is fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper, a memorial of Jesus’ redemptive act.

The moral qualities praised in God — justice, righteousness, compassion — are embodied in Christ, who is the image of the invisible God.

Conclusion

Psalm 111 is a masterpiece of theological depth and poetic form. Through its acrostic structure and tightly woven themes, it presents a complete vision of God's majesty, faithfulness, and enduring worthiness of praise.

Its call is not merely to admire God from a distance, but to respond with heartfelt praise, obedient wisdom, and reverent fear. Whether used in public worship or personal meditation, this psalm invites us to join the long chorus of voices that declare:

“Holy and awesome is His name. To Him belongs eternal praise.”

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