Psalms 111:1 - Meaning and Application

The psalm begins with “Hallelujah,” and the psalmist keeps his attention on that call to praise. If we ask others to do a duty, we should first stir ourselves to do it. Whatever others do, whether they praise God or not, we and our households must decide to do it, with all our hearts.

He says, “I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.” His whole heart is devoted to God’s honor, so his whole heart will be used in this work. He will do it in the meeting of the upright, whether in a smaller private gathering or in the larger assembly of Israel. We should praise God both in private and in public, in our homes and in the Lord’s house. In both places, it is especially good to do it with the upright, who will join sincerely and gladly. Private meetings for worship should continue, just as larger public gatherings do.

He also points us to the works of the Lord as the right subject for our thoughts when we praise him. These are the works of his providence, his wise rule over the world, the church, and individual people. God’s works are great, because they are like him, and there is nothing small or silly in them. They come from infinite wisdom and power, and we should say that at once when we see them. They are surprising and make us stand in awe. Taken together, all the works of the Lord are one work, because his rule is beautiful and orderly, and every part fits one design.

These works are also something we can study with interest. They are “sought out,” or carefully examined, by all who take delight in them. Those who truly love God enjoy his works and think gladly about them. They do not settle for a quick look, but study them closely and observe them with care. When we study nature, history, or events in the world, we should want to see the greatness and glory of God’s work. What is humbly and carefully searched will be found, and it will be found in all its parts, designs, and purposes. God’s secret is with those who fear him (Psalm 25:14).

God’s works are also perfectly right and holy. “His righteousness endures forever.” He has never done, and will never do, any wrong to any of his creatures. For that reason, his works endure, because their righteousness endures (Ecclesiastes 3:14). They are also worthy of memory. Much of what people do is so small that it is better left unmentioned, but God’s works should be noticed and remembered. He has made his wonderful works to be remembered. He has done things that deserve to be remembered, and he has also appointed means to keep some of them in mind, such as the Passover, which recalled Israel’s rescue from Egypt. By his wonderful works, he has made a memorial for himself, and has made himself known in an everlasting way (Isaiah 63:10).

God’s works are kind as well. In them, the Lord shows that he is gracious and full of compassion. In creation and in providence, his works are not only great, but also good. Some understand this as the name God has made for himself by his wonderful works, the same name he proclaimed to Moses, “The Lord God is gracious and merciful” (Exodus 24:6). His forgiveness of sin is the most wonderful of all his works, and it should especially be remembered for his glory. Another sign of his grace and compassion is that he has given food to those who fear him. He gives them daily bread, suitable food, as he does to others through common providence. But to those who fear him, he gives it through covenant mercy, in line with his promise, so they can taste his covenant love even in ordinary blessings.

Some apply this to the manna God gave Israel in the wilderness. Others think of the plunder they took from the Egyptians when they left with great wealth, as promised long before (Genesis 15:14). When God broke the power of Leviathan, the great sea creature, he gave it as food to his people (Psalm 74:14). In that sense, he gave spoil to those who fear him. He not only fed them, but enriched them, and made their enemies a prize for them.

These works are also signs of what he will do, according to his promise. “He will ever be mindful of his covenant,” because he has always been faithful to it. He has never let one promise fail, and he never will. Even though God’s people often fall short and often forget his commands, he will always remember his covenant.