Psalm 111 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Praise begins and ends this short Psalm. This and Ps 112 is an acrostic which may have made it easier to memorize, use in liturgy, and aid in hearing the Psalm read or sung. Every verse contains the first letter of the alphabet at the beginning of each phrase. So, each verse has 2 or 3 letters of the alphabet. As in Psalm 112, the entire alphabet is utilized in Ps. 111.
There are links to other Scripture. Ex. 34:6 and 111:4 (but notice the order is reversed to keep the acrostic in Psalm 111). There are five vocabulary links to Ex. 34:10, one with Ex. 34:5, and one with Ex 34:11. We do not have any certainty on where this Psalm originally took place. Is this in a worship setting or some other place like the temple courts. We do observe the exuberant praise the Psalmist’s offers, “with my whole heart.” This praise is at least in the midst of God’s people. He is calling them to join the praise.
Verse 2 graces the entrance of Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. This is a well-chosen verse to remind all who study at Cambridge that “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” The dominant theme of praise centers around God’s works. We see the word ‘works’ in v. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. There is an inseparable union between God’s character and His works.
It may sound spiritual to pray, “Lord, we praise You not for what You do, but for who You are” but it may not be helpful. I have probably prayed like that myself. But that is not the best way to express one’s love and devotion to God. This way of expressing our view of God bifurcates God and His work. But God is praised in the Bible because of His work. His works are part of who He is and those works illicit praise from His people. Those works are “full of splendor and majesty” according to verse 3.
Verse 4 is similar to verse 2. “He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered” which is similar to v. 2, where His works are “studied by all who delight in them.” What God does is wonderful, and they delight us. Creation is one of His wonderful works that brought me joy this morning (Monday) as I saw the beautiful red streaks in the east sky. It is possible that verse 4 refers to the giving of the law in Ex. 34:6.
In verse 5, “He provides food for those who fear Him” may refer to the wilderness wandering or more general how God provides to all people. Verse 6 may refer to the conquest when Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. That was showing His people “the power of His works.” The next verse, 7, tells us “the works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy” bringing together His works and His word.
Notice how often the covenant is mentioned in this brief Psalm. In verse 5, “He remembers his covenant forever: and in v. 9, “He has commanded His covenant forever. The last verse looks like a combination of Proverbs and Psalms. Those who fear God, that is, to recognize His worth, realize He is a God of wrath and all powerful, that He speaks, and His word must be obeyed, that He is an awesome God who shall be praised forever and ever, and that “all the nations are as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothing and emptiness” Is 40:17.
This godly, Biblical fear is a good, healthy, and joyous fear. But there is no casualness or ‘God is my co-pilot’ business. This fear is both joyful and blood-earnest, happy, holy, and reverent. This fear causes us to hate sin and reminds us that sin is taken extremely seriously with God and must be punished. But this fear also helps us see the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the gospel we see God’s grace as clear as a cloudless sky as God the Father pours out His wrath against sin on His Son.
Father, Your works bring You glory. You do various and countless acts of power, grace, and mercy for Your people. We don’t often value or recognize Your works. Sometimes keeping us safe and providing for us goes by without our thanks. You are doing more in one day than we could ever understand or attempt to keep up with, yet we know You are good. May we always be praising You for Your works. Your praise endures forever. Amen.