Reflections on Psalms 111

 Psalms 111(Contemporary English Version)

1. Shout praises to the LORD! With all my heart I will thank the LORD when his people meet.
   
2. The LORD has done many wonderful things! Everyone who is pleased with God's marvelous deeds will keep them in mind.
   
3. Everything the LORD does is glorious and majestic, and his power to bring justice will never end.
   
4. The LORD God is famous for his wonderful deeds, and he is kind and merciful.
   
5. He gives food to his worshipers and always keeps his agreement with them.
   
6. He has shown his mighty power to his people and has given them the lands of other nations.
   
7. God is always honest and fair, and his laws can be trusted.
   
8. They are true and right and will stand forever.
   
9. God rescued his people, and he will never break his agreement with them. He is fearsome and holy.
   
10. Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected.

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This psalm tells us that the Lord's works inspire praise, and the psalmist proclaims his intent to praise Him "with all my heart" in the assembly of the congregation.

Why do the Lord's works inspire praise? Because they are great and "All that He does is splendid and majestic." (111:3) When we consider the examples given by the psalmist of the Lord's works, we see that He does these works on our behalf. It is not like watching a fireworks display in which we are an outside observer oohing and ahing at the magnificent and colorful displays. Instead, we are both participants and benefactors of God's works. It is for us that He does them. His pleasure in doing them is to receive our praise.

The key in all this is found in verse 10. All of God's majestic works are lost on us unless we fear, or respect the Lord. Otherwise they are not even noticed, or if noticed they are credited to chance and not to God. "Fear of the Lord," the psalmist says, "is the beginning of wisdom." And with this wisdom comes a growing recognition and appreciation of God's works, not to mention the growing benefits received due to our recognition and appreciation of them. Notice, this is a closed "party." Only those who fear the Lord are invited. Only they receive the benefits of His works. Only they delight in them.