Psalm 111

Praise the LORD.

   I will extol the LORD with all my heart 

   in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the LORD; 

   they are pondered by all who delight in them. 

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, 

   and his righteousness endures forever. 

He has caused his wonders to be remembered; 

   the LORD is gracious and compassionate. 

He provides food for those who fear him; 

   he remembers his covenant forever. 

He has shown his people the power of his works, 

   giving them the lands of other nations. 

The works of his hands are faithful and just; 

   all his precepts are trustworthy. 

They are steadfast for ever and ever, 

   done in faithfulness and uprightness. 

He provided redemption for his people; 

   he ordained his covenant forever— 

   holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

   all who follow his precepts have good understanding. 

   To him belongs eternal praise.

I believe that this psalm wants to draw our attention back to God’s work on behalf of his people in Exodus through Joshua. The reference to God’s grace and mercy (verse 4) reminds us of the revelation of God’s name in Exodus 34. His redemption (verse 9) takes us to the exodus, his precepts (verse 7) to Sinai, the provision of food (verse 5) to the wilderness wandering, his inheritance (verse 6) to the Promised Land.

So the question is: Do you study those wondrous works? He has caused them to be remembered (verse 4). He has written them in a book so that we can study them from delight. Do you remember the story?

Excerpt from Psalm 111: Delighting in the Works of God