Psalm 111

Here is a great Hymn with an important message that might not come through clearly until the final verse.  The writer is full of praise and a desire to share it with all the saints (v1).  The causes of his praise are the works of the LORD (v2). He refers to God’s work or works five times (v2, 3, 4, 6, 7). 

Notice v2: God’s works are studied by all who have pleasure in them.  God’s works are carefully sought out or enquired about, so studied is a great word.  They are important, worth studying in school or as a continuing interest in life.

What works is he talking about?  Several areas are specified.  In v5 God has given food to those who fear Him.  In v9 He has sent redemption to His people.  In both cases the hymnist adds a comment about God’s faithfulness to His covenant.  In addition the Psalmist also references the inheritance God has given to His people, that of the nations (v6) as well as His true and just precepts (7).  All these are major themes and involve the work of God.

You can see why the writer is full of praise.  Truly God’s works are honorable and glorious (v3) and wonderful (v4).  God is properly praised as righteous (v3), gracious and full of compassion (v4), powerful (v6), holy and awesome (v9). 

What the writer has done is recognize God in all areas of life: creation, history and the salvation of His people.  To see the works of God all around is to have the fear of the LORD (v10) and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.  That final verse says that those who have a good understanding, that is who have studied the works of God, and who order their lives according to what God is doing (they do His commandments), these are the ones who are truly wise.

These words in v10 might sound familiar, and they should for they are fundamental to the book of Proverbs, which is the classic book of Wisdom in the Bible (Prov. 1:7; 9:10).  The Proverbs express truths, the works of God, which are observed in life.  But at the same time, they are His precepts on how we are to live our lives.  These treasures of wisdom and knowledge are bound up in Christ (Col. 2:3; Prov. 8:22-31).  When, in our study, we have discovered this we are truly wise. 

No one can understand truth, about the world around him, about the course of history, about spiritual realities and the life to come, who does not fear the Lord.  No one!  Are you a student of the works of the LORD?