The Lord’s Works Inspire Enduring Praise in Psalm 111

“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” Psalm 111:1

Loss has caused me to be more observant. I have much for which to be grateful. I do not take things for granted. I am inspired to praise and thank God with my whole heart. I am quick to give testimony to God’s faithfulness to others. As we’ve seen in Psalm 107, the redeemed should say so.

The Lord and his works inspire praise.

“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:2-3

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. Why? Because his works are great. If you simply pause and reflect upon his works, study them with your heart and mind, you will see that his work is full of splendor and majesty. I praise and thank him because his righteous ways cannot be stopped. They are in effect now, and they will be in effect for eternity. Again, praise him and give him thanks. We should be grateful people who are quick to offer up praise to our powerful God.

“He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.” Psalm 111:4

Through my unwanted journey, I have found his grace to be sufficient and his mercies to be new every morning. Indeed, I proclaim with the psalmist, “…the Lord is gracious and merciful.” I not only acknowledge his incredible works, I cannot forget them even if I tried. He is too marvelous for me.

“He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” Psalm 111:5

Our God is preeminent in the temporal details of life, such as daily food, and in eternal matters such as the covenant he has made with his people. We pray for daily bread, and we pray that his kingdom will come. If he is in details such as bread and sparrows, he cares about every aspect. He ordains and controls every aspect. He speaks into every detail, every jot and tittle.

“He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” Psalm 111:6-8

God has not left himself without a witness. Creation proclaims his goodness and so do we. He has earned our love because he has shown us his powerful and marvelous works. Jesus inherits the nations. All the nations. He is faithful and just. He cannot deny his own character. Every command and every statute of his is worthy of our trust. His instruction is proven to be trustworthy for all time. He governs the nations with faithfulness and uprightness. Again, he simply cannot deny himself. Therefore, his power and his commands can be trusted.

“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!” Psalm 111:9

Our covenant-keeping God chose to send redemption to us, his beloved. Exodus 14:13 reminds us, “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.’” In other words, rest in his grace and mercy. Salvation is yours. His redemption is as sure as his holy and awesome name!

Fear him with a reverent awe. The wise humbly trust him and his ways. If you live your life in the fear and admonition of the Lord you have wisdom and understanding. Join the chorus of praise because his praise reverberates forever.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Psalm 111:10