What happens in Psalms 111

An acrostic psalm of praise, with each line beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It celebrates God's wonderful works, his covenant faithfulness, and declares that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Psalms 111

God's Wonderful Works

Study note

Praise the Lord! The psalmist will give thanks with his whole heart. God's works are great and studied by all who delight in them. His righteousness endures forever.

1 Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with my whole heart when I am with God's people, gathered together as one. Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The things the Lord does are magnificent. Everyone who takes delight in them wants to explore them more. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 Everything he does radiates beauty and majesty. His goodness stands firm and never fades. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He has made it impossible to forget his remarkable works. The Lord is overflowing with grace and tenderness. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He feeds those who respect him. He always keeps his covenant in mind. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He showed the power of his works for his people. He gave them the land that had belonged to other nations. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

God's Faithful Covenant

Study note

The works of God's hands are faithful and just. His instructions are trustworthy. He sent redemption to his people and established his covenant forever. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

7 Everything his hands produce is reliable and fair. Every instruction he gives can be completely trusted. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand solid forever and always, grounded in truth and honesty. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent his people freedom and made his covenant binding forever. His name is holy and fills us with awe. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 Wisdom starts with having a deep respect for the Lord. Those who live by his commands gain real understanding. The praise he deserves will last forever. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Themes in Psalms 111

Praise for God's wonderful worksGod's faithful covenantThe fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdomGod's righteousness endures forever

Living Psalms 111

The fear of the Lord is not being scared of God — it is standing in awe of who He is. And that awe is where true wisdom begins. When you approach life with reverence for God, everything else falls into proper perspective. Let wonder lead you to wisdom today.

Study Psalms in Covenant Path

Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.

Psalms 111
Study this book in the Clarity Edition Try Covenant Path