Psalms 111King James Version
An acrostic psalm. Praise ye the Lord. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
An acrostic praise psalm: twenty-two lines beginning successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet in the original. God's works are great, sought out by those who delight in them. His work is honorable and glorious; he made his wonderful works to be remembered. He gave food to those who feared him; showed his people the power of his works. He sent redemption; commanded his covenant forever. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
The works of God are worthy of the full span of human attention, from aleph to tau, and wisdom is the name for the disposition that pursues them.
verse: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." The psalm ends where Proverbs begins.
No superscription. Acrostic psalm (22 lines = 22 Hebrew letters). Psalms 111-112 are paired Hallelujah acrostics in Book 5. The assembly of the upright (v1) suggests temple or synagogue use. The psalm's theological density (covenant, redemption, wisdom) makes it one of the most compact summaries of the Psalter's theology.
The psalmist praising in the assembly of the upright; God whose works are the subject; the people who received food, power of works, and the heritage of the nations; the congregation whose praise endures.
Psalms 111 and 112 form a matching pair of acrostic psalms (both begin Hallelujah and use the same acrostic structure). Psalm 111 describes God's character and acts; Psalm 112 describes the character and life of the one who fears God. Together they form a complementary portrait of the covenant relationship. The 'beginning of wisdom' closing connects to Proverbs 1:7.
For when you want to praise but you lack words. The psalm's alphabetic structure suggests that the full alphabet of praise is the right response to the full alphabet of divine works.
1Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.