Praise The Lord

I was reading through Psalm 111 today and was really moved at how good and gracious the Lord is to His people. If I could walk us through this psalm with a few comments, I trust it will be an encouragement to you too!

The psalmist begins "1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation." He began with a 100% commitment to praising God in his own heart as well as publicly before God’s people. What could deserve such whole-hearted worship that leads to corporate unity?  "2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever." One of the blessings of worshipping together on a Sunday, at a small group, or even across a coffee table is being able to recount and give testimony to what God has done. The psalmist reminded his readers that the works of the Lord are great and deserve to be studied by those who delight in Him. This is good and right, because He is worthy of such praise and honor. 

He continues, "4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful." The works of God reveal who He is. The pages of Scripture reveal a God who desires to be known and worshipped and to share His glory with His people. He loves His people and shows them steadfast love and daily faithfulness. He is holy and righteous and will not allow sin to eternally corrupt those whom He will save. We continue, "5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever."  God is committed to more than just random acts of kindness or even a scheduled list of gracious deeds. He is a covenant-keeping God. He promises things based off of His own character and person. There is no greater level of commitment imaginable than for God to commit to something according to His great name. The various biblical covenants revolve around the idea of redemption and restoration, for both creation as well as personal union. God will redeem His people and He will restore their standing before Him. 

"6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations." God’s covenant to the Israelites was realized in part by bringing them into the Promised Land and establishing them as a nation among the people of the world. God confirmed His covenant with New Testament saints by miraculously raising Jesus Christ His Son from the dead on the third day, declaring that judgment had been paid and justice purchased. 

God has been abundantly clear through His amazing works and His people can therefore take comfort that His words

are just as true. "7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established 

forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness." Are you familiar with God’s words? Instructions

Commands? Expectations? We have been given everything we need for life and godliness contained within the pages 

of Scripture. God’s Word brings life and hope to those who have none. It provides direction and certainty because it 

points to Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. "9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his 

covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!"

It is no wonder that the psalmist is bursting with praise. He cannot contain his excitement and expectation of what His 

God will do!  What was left then? He understood that he needed to live in such a manner that God’s name would be 

proclaimed all the more. "10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good 

understanding. His praise endures forever!"

The God-honoring life is sustained by a proper reverence, fear, awe, and love for the Lord. It is my prayer that we 

would live such a praise-proclaiming life so that others may see and ultimately, that God would receive the honor due 

to His name. 

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