Psalm 111
Introduction
Verse 1
Of the upright; of the sincere worshippers of God, of the Israel of God, as this very word is explained, Num. 23:10; where they who are called Israel in one clause, are called righteous or upright in the next.
Verse 2
The works of the Lord; either, 1. The works of creation; or rather, 2. The works of his providence in the world, and especially in and for his church and people, of which he speaks in the rest of the Psalm. Are great, for the infinite power, and wisdom, and goodness manifested in them.
Verse 3
His work; either all his works, of which See Poole “Ps. 111:2”; or that eminent branch of those works, his providence towards his people, as it is expressed afterwards Honourable and glorious; becoming the Divine Majesty, and bringing glory to him from all that observe and consider it.
Verse 4
To be remembered; either, 1. By those memorials which he hath left of them in his word; or rather, 2. By their own wonderful nature, and the lasting effects and benefits flowing from them, which are such as cannot easily be forgotten.
Verse 5
Meat; which includes all necessary provisions for their being and well-being. The word signifies spoil, and so may relate to the spoil of the Egyptians granted by God to the Israelites; but it is sometimes used for food, as Prov. 31:15, Mal. 3:10.
Verse 6
He hath showed, not only by words, but by his actions. The power of his works; his mighty power in his works, and especially in that which here follows. The heritage of the heathen; the land of Canaan, which had been possessed and inherited by the heathens.
Verse 7
The works of his hands; all that he doth, either on the behalf of his people, or against his or their enemies; of both which sorts of works he spoke in the foregoing verse. Are verity and judgment; are exactly agreeable to his word or promises, and to the rules of justice.
Verse 8
They stand fast, Heb. they are established upon the sure foundations of truth and uprightness, as it follows. Are done; constituted or ordered.
Verse 9
Redemption; that deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type and pledge of that greater and higher redemption by Christ. Commanded, i.e. appointed or established firmly by his power and authority. And so this word is oft used, as Ps. 33:9, Ps. 42:8, Ps. 105:31, Ps. 105:34. See Poole “Ps.
Verse 10
The fear of the Lord; piety or true religion, which consists in the fear or worship and service of God. Is the beginning of wisdom; is the only foundation of and introduction to all true wisdom.
Ps. 111:0 THE ARGUMENT The excellency of this Psalm appears, as from other things, so from the psalmist’s care to digest the several parcels of it into an exact order, according to the order of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, that it might be better fixed in the memories of those who read it.