# Overview Psalm 111 is a hymn of praise that exalts the greatness and works of the #LORD. The psalm begins with a call to praise the LORD wholeheartedly, emphasizing the importance of gathering in the assembly of the upright and the congregation. It celebrates the LORD’s great works, which are described as being studied by all who delight in them. These works are characterized by their splendor and majesty, showcasing the LORD's righteousness that endures forever. The psalm highlights the LORD's providence, noting that He has provided food for those who fear Him and remembers His covenant forever. This reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision points to His eternal covenant with His people, emphasizing His trustworthy and just nature. The latter part of Psalm 111 focuses on the #LORD’s actions in history, such as giving His people the inheritance of the nations and performing powerful deeds. These acts reflect His faithfulness and justice, underscoring the reliability of His precepts and commandments as they stand firm forever. The psalm concludes with a declaration of the fear of the LORD as the beginning of wisdom, linking it to a life aligned with God’s praise, which endures forever. This connection between wisdom and the fear of the LORD highlights the psalm’s overarching theme of reverence and awe for God, encouraging the faithful to acknowledge His eternal sovereignty and to live in accordance with His righteous statutes. ## Theological Insights Psalm 111 is a profound hymn of praise that celebrates the faithfulness and mighty works of #God. This psalm underscores several key theological themes: 1. **The Greatness of God’s Works**: The psalmist opens with an exhortation to praise God with all one's heart in the assembly of the upright and the congregation (#Psalms 111:1). This reflects the communal nature of worship and the importance of acknowledging God's deeds among His people. The works of the Lord are described as "great" and "studied by all who delight in them" (#Psalms 111:2), highlighting the depth and richness of God's actions in history. 2. **God’s Righteousness and Faithfulness**: The psalm emphasizes that God's works are full of honor and majesty, and His righteousness endures forever (#Psalms 111:3). This connects to the enduring nature of God's character, which is consistently revealed throughout the #OldTestament, such as in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34]] where God is described as "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." 3. **God’s Covenant and Provision**: The psalmist reminds the readers of God's covenantal faithfulness, stating that "He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion" (#Psalms 111:4). This is reminiscent of God's provision for the Israelites in the wilderness, as recounted in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 16]] with the manna, and His covenant with #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 17]]. 4. **The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom**: A pivotal theological insight is found in the closing verse, which states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (#Psalms 111:10). This echoes the wisdom literature, such as [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 9]], and underscores the biblical truth that true wisdom and understanding are rooted in a reverent relationship with God. 5. **Eternal Nature of God’s Precepts**: The psalm affirms that God’s precepts are "sure" and "stand fast forever and ever" (#Psalms 111:7-8). This permanence of God's Word is a recurring theme in scripture, paralleling passages such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:8]], which declares, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." In summary, Psalm 111 invites believers to praise God for His majestic works and steadfast character, urging them to live in awe and obedience to His eternal commandments. This psalm serves as a reminder that understanding and wisdom begin with the fear of the Lord, a foundational truth that is woven throughout the narrative of #Scripture. ## Thematic Connections ### Praise for God’s Works Psalm 111 is a hymn of #praise that emphasizes the greatness of God's works. This theme of praising God for His wondrous deeds echoes throughout the #Psalms, as seen in passages such as [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 8|Psalm 8]] and [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 104|Psalm 104]], where the psalmists reflect on creation and God's providence. The consistent call to praise God for His acts serves as a reminder of His power and faithfulness to His people. ### The Fear of the Lord The chapter concludes with the declaration that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). This theme is a foundational element of #wisdom literature, also prominent in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 1|Proverbs 1:7]] and [[Job/Job Chapter 28|Job 28:28]]. The fear of the Lord is portrayed as the starting point of understanding and wisdom, a concept that underscores a life oriented towards reverence for God. ### Remembrance of God’s Covenant Psalm 111 highlights God's faithfulness to His #covenant, a theme woven throughout the #OldTestament. This is seen in the recounting of God’s deeds and His commitment to His promises, paralleling accounts in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 17|Genesis 17]] regarding the covenant with #Abraham and [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19|Exodus 19]] concerning the covenant with #Israel. Such passages reinforce the enduring nature of God’s promises and His steadfast love for His people. ### God’s Righteousness and Justice The psalm speaks of God’s righteousness and justice, themes that resonate with other scriptures like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 61|Isaiah 61:8]] and [[Amos/Amos Chapter 5|Amos 5:24]]. These attributes are central to God’s character and His dealings with humanity, encouraging believers to trust in His moral governance and to reflect these values in their own lives. ### God’s Provision and Sustenance The chapter mentions God providing food and remembering His covenant forever. This theme of divine provision is echoed in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 16|Exodus 16]], where God provides manna for the Israelites, and in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6|Matthew 6:11]], where Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread. It emphasizes God’s continual care and sustenance for His people, assuring them of His reliable provision. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Faithfulness of the Lord Psalm 111 celebrates the faithfulness and steadfastness of the #Lord, which is reflective of His enduring covenant with His people. The psalm highlights God's mighty works and His provision, which can be seen as a fulfillment of His promises throughout the Old Testament. This theme of divine faithfulness is echoed in the New Testament, where the ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's faithfulness and love for humanity. The steadfast love and faithfulness mentioned in this psalm can be linked to the promises realized through [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] and His redemptive work, as seen in passages like [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8|Romans 8:38-39]]. ### The Covenant and Redemption The psalm speaks of God's covenant and redemption, which are central themes throughout the biblical narrative. The covenant made with #Abraham, reiterated with #Moses at #Sinai, and celebrated in the #Psalms, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. As indicated in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31|Jeremiah 31:31-34]], the New Covenant is characterized by the internalization of God's law and the forgiveness of sins. Psalm 111's emphasis on God's faithfulness to His covenant can be seen as a precursor to the new and everlasting covenant fulfilled in Jesus, as articulated in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 8|Hebrews 8:6-13]]. ### The Fear of the Lord The closing verse of Psalm 111 declares that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10), a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. This reverent fear and the pursuit of wisdom are foundational to understanding God’s will and living in accordance with His purposes. In the New Testament, this concept is fully realized in Christ, who is described as "the wisdom of God" in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 1|1 Corinthians 1:24]]. The fear of the Lord and the pursuit of divine wisdom through Christ highlight the transformative power of the gospel, which fulfills the wisdom and understanding sought in the Old Testament. ## Verses - **Psalm 111:1** - "Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people." - Notes: The psalmist begins with a call to praise and thanksgiving, consistent with the theme of worship found in other psalms such as [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 100]]. - **Psalm 111:2** - "How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them." - Notes: Reflecting on God's works is a recurring theme, similar to the praise of creation in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 8]]. - **Psalm 111:3** - "Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails." - Notes: The unfailing righteousness of God is also celebrated in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 36]]. - **Psalm 111:4** - "He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!" - Notes: God's mercy and grace are also highlighted in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34]]. - **Psalm 111:5** - "He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant." - Notes: Reference to God's provision and covenant-keeping nature, echoed in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 8]]. - **Psalm 111:6** - "He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations." - Notes: God's power and the giving of lands is reminiscent of the conquest narratives found in [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 1]]. - **Psalm 111:7** - "All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy." - Notes: The trustworthiness of God's commandments is affirmed in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 19]]. - **Psalm 111:8** - "They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity." - Notes: The eternal nature of God's commandments is also emphasized in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 119]]. - **Psalm 111:9** - "He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!" - Notes: The concept of redemption and covenant is central to the narratives in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 6]]. - **Psalm 111:10** - "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!" - Notes: The fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom is echoed in the wisdom literature, such as [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 9]].