October 10th 2021 – Psalm 111

Sun 10 Oct 2021

"Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
²Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
³Full of splendour and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures for ever.
⁴He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
⁵He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant for ever.
⁶He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
⁷The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy;
⁸they are established for ever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
⁹He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant for ever.
    Holy and awesome is his name!
¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practise it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures for ever!"

Psalm 111

The Psalmist extols yet another gift of divine grace in 7b-9 - not only food and provision, not only a land for a possession, but also His law, His precepts. Here, the giving of the of the law is spoken of as something to rejoice in, a work of God full of majesty and glory, mercy and compassion - the law, both a revelation of what He is (a commentary on His acts in history) and a standard of what we should be. The Psalmist speaks of a twofold expression of the law of God in 9 - the sending of redemption to His people, and the establishing of His covenant. The phrase 'holy and reverend (dread) is His Name' in 9b is expressive of the frame of mind to which we are brought by a true atti- tude of praise - and, adds the Psalmist, when we are there, we are at the beginning of all true wisdom (10). On the final words of the Psalm, 'His praise endureth forever' (10b), Leopold comments, 'Those who are firm in their reverence for the Lord and in their keeping of His commandments, will have such experience of the faithfulness of God as will give them ample reason to utter the praises of the Lord forever'. This is a word for all seasons, and especially for those times when we tend to look back and see God's faithfulness. It is a Psalm to encourage and hearten our faith by showing us the nature of God's works throughout the history of His people, for He is the same yesterday, today and forever: as He gave (to the Israelites), so He gives today, to us and to our children. Blessed be His great and holy Name.

J Philip Bible Readings

October 10th 2021 – Psalm 111

October 9th 2021 – Psalm 111

October 8th 2021 – Psalm 111

October 7th 2021 – Psalm 110

October 6th 2021 – Psalm 110

October 5th 2021 – Psalm 110

October 4th 2021 – Psalm 109

October 3rd 2021 – Psalm 109

October 2nd 2021 – Psalm 109

October 1st 2021 – Psalm 109