Buck Anderson Grace Bible Church
“Wholehearted Thanks” Psalm 111
The psalmist vows to give wholehearted thanks to the Lord for His great and marvelous works. The psalmist then concludes that wisdom comes from following the Lord.
The Book of Psalms
Book 1: Psalms 1-41 Book 2: Psalms 42-72 Book 3: Psalms 73-89 Book 4: Psalms 90-106 Book 5: Psalms 107-150 >> Thanks << >> Praise <<
Book 5: Psalms 107-150
Themes: Thanksgiving, Praise, Blessing, Righteousness Thanks: 30+ times; Praise: 60+ times Hallel Psalms: Psalms 113-118 Psalms of Ascents: Psalms 120-134 Hallelujah Psalms: Psalms 146-150 Thanks & Praise: RESPONSE terms
Psalm 111
Often linked with Psalm 112 Similar in structure Cause – Effect Relationship Cause = Psalm 111 What God is Like Effect = Psalm 112 What the Godly are Like
Acrostic Arrangement… Hebrew alpha order: a b g d h w z x j y ... 22 letters in Hebrew alphabet 22 strophes or stanzas in Psalm 111 Each stanza begins with the next letter Others include 9, 10, 35, 37, 112, 119, 145
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, Wholehearted In the company of the upright and in the assembly. Thanks Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work; And His righteousness endures forever. Works of the He has made His wonders to be remembered; Lord The LORD is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. He has made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; Wisdom from the He has ordained His covenant forever; Lord Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111 Wholehearted Thanks (1) Works of the Lord (2-9) Wisdom from the Lord(10)
Message… The psalmist vows to give wholehearted thanks to the Lord for His great and marvelous works . The psalmist then concludes that wisdom comes from following the Lord.
Wholehearted Thanks (vs. 1)
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly.
Key Phrase: Praise the Lord!
Hallel-u-yah
Hallel = “praise” u = plural command Yah = Yah(weh)
Hallel-u-yah : (all of you) Praise Yah (weh )
Key Term: Thanks
yada = “thanks”
Root concept = to acknowledge Acknowledge sin = “confess” Acknowledge God = “give thanks”
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly.
The psalmist’s thanksgiving is… Wholehearted Expressed before other believers
Works of the Lord (vss. 2-9)
▪ Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.
Great are the Works of the Lord… And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works , O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Revelation 15:3
▪ Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.
Key Term: Studied
darash = “seek, inquire, search, study”
Participial form of “ darash ” is Midrash = a method of Jewish interpretation
Point: so great are the works of God that they must be inquired about!
They are studied...
This is the generation of those who seek Him… Psalm 24:6a
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2
▪ Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.
Key Term: Delight
“to have pleasure, delight”
Psalm 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 112:1-2 – How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.
Psalm 111:3-9 Works of God: Person of God:
Splendid and majestic is His work; And His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious & compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.
He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth & uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
Works of God: Person of God: Splendid Righteous Majestic Gracious Wonderful Compassion Provision Loyal Powerful Faithful/Sure Remember Him He Remembers
Great are the works of the LORD;
His Works & His Person cited…
SUMMATION: Holy and awesome is His name.
Holy and awesome is His name. Holy = “separate; distinct, uncommon” Awesome = “deep reverential regard” Name = “reputation; character”
And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.” —Luke 1:46-49
Wisdom from the Lord(10)
Psalm 111:10 The psalmist’s conclusion: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
Key Term: Wisdom The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. chokmah = “skill” Skill for Living
The Wise Believer… gives wholehearted thanks as he seeks to understand the works and wisdom of the Lord.
Wise Men Still Seek Him
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them…
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111 Wholehearted Thanks (1) Works of the Lord (2-9) Wisdom from the Lord(10)