PsalmsChapter 111

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Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart, in the council of the upright, in the assembly.

Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.

Splendor and majesty mark his work, and his righteousness stands forever.

He has made his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.

He gave food to those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the heritage of the nations.

The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his precepts are trustworthy.

They stand firm forever and ever, formed in truth and uprightness.

He sent redemption to his people; he ordained his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who practice them gain good insight. His praise stands forever.

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Summary2

Chapter 111

Main Theme: A praise of the Lord's greatness, deeds, and eternal covenant with his people.

Content: This acrostic psalm opens with a call to wholehearted praise within the assembly of believers. The psalmist extols the Lord's mighty works, his righteousness that endures forever, and his grace and mercy. God has sent redemption to his people and established an eternal covenant. The psalm culminates in the wisdom saying that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Key Words/Images:

The deeds of the Lord (מַעֲשֵׂי יְהוָה): God's great and mighty acts that are worth exploring and admiring.
Eternal covenant (בְּרִית לְעוֹלָם): God's faithful promise to his people that stands firm forever.
Redemption (פְּדוּת): God's saving act when he delivered his people.
The fear of the Lord (יִרְאַת יְהוָה): Reverence and respect for God, which is the foundation of true wisdom.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for Psalm 111

Literary Structure

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm in which each half-line begins with a new letter of the Hebrew alphabet, from aleph to tav. The psalm has 10 verses containing 22 half-lines that cover all 22 letters. This sophisticated literary form served both as artistic expression and as a memory aid in oral tradition. The alphabetical structure also symbolized completeness—God’s deeds are described "from A to Z."

Events and Customs

The psalm refers to central events in salvation history without naming them directly. The phrase "he has made his wonders to be remembered" (v. 4) and "he gives food to those who fear him" (v. 5, Hebrew ṭeref – "prey" or "food") allude to the provision of manna in the wilderness and the Passover meal. "The inheritance of the nations" (v. 6) points to the fulfillment of the promise of land. The word pedût ("redemption," v. 9) was a technical term for the release of firstborns and slaves, here used to describe the exodus from Egypt.

Key Terms

The phrase "in the company of the upright and in the assembly" (v. 1, Hebrew sôd yešārîm wĕ-ʿēdāh) describes two contexts for worship: the smaller circle of the godly (sôd) and the larger congregation (ʿēdāh). This reflects post-exilic worship life in which the synagogue emerged alongside temple worship.

The closing verse, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (rēʾšît ḥokmāh yirʾat YHWH), is a central statement of wisdom literature. The word yirʾāh ("fear") does not denote terror, but reverence and respectful submission as the foundation for right living.

People

No known people in this chapter.

Key words9

Praise — An expression of gratitude and reverence toward God, often involving song and prayer.
Lord — A title used to refer to God, emphasizing his authority and power.
Deeds — Actions performed by God, demonstrating his power and love for his people.
Wisdom — The ability to think and act with knowledge, experience, understanding, and insight. In the book of Psalms, wisdom is often linked to God's teaching and guidance.
Fear — A deep respect and awe for God, leading to obedience and trust.
Understanding — The capacity to judge and comprehend situations, and to act wisely and justly based on this understanding.
Righteousness — The principle of acting in accordance with God's will and morality, and treating others with justice and mercy.
Grace — God's unmerited favor and love toward humanity, which brings salvation and blessings.
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