Psalm 111

Psalm Category: Public praises to God

Central Thought: Our God does wonderful works worthy of praise!

Key Word: Works

The theme of praise to God runs prominently through Psalms 111 to 113. The structure and content of Psalms 111 and 112 tie them together as a pair. Both are alphabetic, with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet being the first letter of the first word of each line. The wording of 111:3-4 and 112:3-4 is strikingly similar. By these means, the psalmist instructs us to see these psalms as two parts of one composition.

Psalm 111 presents the works of God for His praise from men (111:3) and Psalm 112 presents the works of the godly for his praise from God (112:3, 9). Only Christ truly satisfies this picture of the godly man in Psalm 112 (Heb. 7:26). We are conformed to it only in Christ and only in measure (Eph. 4:13; Col. 3:10). While we are not saved by our works, we are saved for doing His works (Eph. 2:5-10). We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for works alone, for God’s glory alone (Eph. 2:5-10).

While the themes of creation, providence and redemption overlap throughout the psalm, it is useful and appropriate to focus on each of these themes separately.

Praise the Practical God of Creation! (vv. 1-3).The psalmist commands praise to God and manifests great integrity by immediately doing what he commands: giving thanks to God. He does this by singing, which requires the participation of the whole person with all his heart. He does this publicly among his closest company and in the full assembly of the church. He proclaims God’s works to be great and worthy to be joyfully and carefully studied. This is a great encouragement to all who are gifted and called to the various departments of the arts and sciences, each of which ought to see God’s hand in His works and praise Him (Rom. 1:18-20). The Cavendish Laboratories of Cambridge University have Ps. 111:2 inscribed above the entrances to their facilities. One may pray that this truth would be in their hearts and words as well as above their heads.

The quality and quantity of God’s works are inexhaustible (v. 3) and will keep their students fruitfully occupied throughout their generations. There is no end to the wonder of God’s works and thus to the reasons for His praise.

Praise the Practical God of Providence! (vv. 4-8). Many of the things in these verses at least allude to events of redemptive history, but the psalmist seems to present them in their broader providential character. That is, our covenant God is not a god of mere ideas or ideals but a God whose powerful works merit careful study and joyful praise. He has done memorable things, like the Exodus remembered in Passover, that manifest His grace and compassion (Ex. 34:6). His provision of food in the wilderness reminds us that He will always remember His covenant for His people (Ex. 2:24). The connection of food and an eternal covenant led the early church to use this psalm in connection with their celebration of the Lord’s supper (Heb. 13:20; 1 Cor. 11:25).

Another memorable deed was the “Eisodus,” God’s bringing His people into the land of Canaan (Ps 111:6; Deut. 6:23). As all His works are memorable and worthy of joyful and careful study, so are His words (Ps. 111:7-8; see. 111:2 and 112:1).

Praise the Practical God of Redemption! (vv. 9-10). The psalmist is now explicit in his praise to God for His work in the redemption of His people. He proclaims that this redemption is the result of His eternal covenant, again leading us to Christ (v. 9a; Heb. 13:20). In all these works—creation, providence and redemption—God has made a name for Himself that commands and enables men to praise Him (v. 9b). In verse 10, the psalmist seems to make a transition to the subject of the second part of his composition: the works of the godly man (Ps. 112). In other words, praising God for His works is the constant source of godly wisdom and understanding (v. 10a) and necessarily results in God’s praise for the godly man who works the works of His words (10b). The phrase “his praise” (there is no capital h in the Hebrew) seems to make reference to the praise of God (v. 1ff.) in transition to the promise that those who praise God for His works will do the works of His word and receive praise from God (v. 10; see 112: 1ff.; compare 111:3 and 112:3, 9).

Do you take time to study the wonderful works of God in creation? Do you consider that every event in history is His work, appointed by Him (Eph. 1:11)? And all of redemptive history is the work of His hand. Study all these things carefully and joyfully so that your heart will be filled with the knowledge of His glory and your mouth opened to sing the praises of our practical God who works wonders!

—Kit Swartz