Psalms 111:1-10·~1 min

Majestic Is His Work

The chapter opens with hallelujah and a vow of wholehearted thanks in the assembly of the upright. From there it praises the LORD's works as great and worthy of study, splendid and majestic, and so memorable that they continually call his people back to the gracious and compassionate God who performed them.

H¹allelujah! ²Great are the works of the LORD; ³Splendid and majestic is His work; ⁴He has caused His wonders to be remembered;

The psalm then recalls the LORD's covenant faithfulness in concrete acts: he provides for those who fear him, shows his people the power of his works by giving them the inheritance of the nations, and acts with truth and justice. His precepts stand firm forever, and because he has sent redemption to his people and ordained his covenant, his name is to be regarded as holy and awesome.

⁵He provides food for those who fear Him; ⁶He has shown His people the power of His works ⁷The works of His hands are truth and justice; ⁸They are upheld forever and ever, ⁹He has sent redemption to His people;

The psalm ends by declaring that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and that those who live by his commands show good understanding. Praise therefore resolves into a life rightly ordered before God, while his praise itself endures forever.

¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

Section summaryThe psalm begins with hallelujah and a promise to give wholehearted thanks in the gathered company of the upright, then dwells on the greatness, splendor, remembrance, graciousness, and justice of the LORD's works. It goes on to celebrate his provision, his covenant faithfulness, the enduring reliability of his precepts, and the redemption he has sent to his people, before concluding that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and that enduring praise belongs to him.

Role in the chapterThis section functions as a theological hymn of praise. It teaches that God's deeds are not random displays of power but covenant-shaped works that sustain, instruct, redeem, and finally train his people into wisdom.