January 18
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PSALM 111 PRAISE AND GIVE THANKS WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.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.4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.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 faithful-
ness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! – Psalm 111:1-10
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Psalms 111, 112 and 119 are the only psalms which are acrostic by phrase in the Bible; that is, each 7-9 syllable phrase begins with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order.
Many commentators note the connection between Psalms 111 and 112. James Montgomery Boice observed, “The two psalms are an obviously matched pair. The first is an acrostic poem about God; the second is an acrostic poem about the godly man.”
This psalm is a great invitation to all believers to give praise and thanks to our Lord God with our whole hearts and in unity with other believers. In other words, this is a call to corporate worship among the communion of saints. In verse 2, the psalmist points out a common love for reflecting on the great works done by our Lord. When we recall and meditate on these wonderful acts of God’s love, we are actually receiving what he has given us. The remembrance of such powerful acts of God, is even provided by God himself. Without the Holy Spirit bringing to our memories such awesome deeds of God, we will not even be able to glorify Him. This psalm gives worship to the one and only deserving true God. It counts all the blessings that God has given generously to his people.
The writer couldn’t stop the overflow of joy in his heart as he declares God’s holy and awesome name. He ends the psalm with a reminder to revere the Lord and fear Him. When we do, we begin to have knowledge and understanding of God’s love and the desire to continually walk with the Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Why is corporate worship an integral part in a Christian’s life?