Psalm 111:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 111:1-5

The title of the psalm being Hallelujah, the psalmist (as every author ought to have) has an eye to his title, and keeps to his text. I. He resolves to praise God himself, Ps. 111:1. What duty we call others to we must oblige and excite ourselves to; nay, whatever others do, whether they will praise God or no, we and our houses must determine to do it, we and our hearts; for such is the psalmist's resolution here: I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. My heart, my whole heart, being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 111:1

Praise ye the Lord ,.... Or "hallelujah"; this is the title of the psalm, and is expressive of the subject matter of it; and so it stands in the Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions; as it should, as appears from the psalm being alphabetical; for the first letter of this word is the fifth and not the first of the alphabet; it is wanting in the Syriac version, which gives the title in this manner, without a name, concerning the glorious virtues of "the works of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 111:2

The works of the Lord are great ,.... His works of creation are great, being made out of nothing, are the effects of great power, and the produce of great wisdom, and which greatly display the glory of their Maker; the works of providence are great, which are daily wrought, especially such as concern the church and people of God, for whom he does great things, whereof they have reason to be glad and praise his name; the miracles of Christ he wrought here on earth were surprisingly great,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 111:3

His work is honourable and glorious ,.... Or "honour and glory" F7 הוד והדר "gloria et decor", Pagninus, Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis; "gloria et splendor", Musculus; "majestas et magnificentia", Piscator. itself; there is nothing mean and trifling done by him; nothing unworthy of him in nature, providence, and grace; every work of his serves to display his glory, and set off the greatness of his majesty; the heavens and the earth are full of his glory; and he does all things well... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 111:4

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered ,.... All his works are marvellous ones; his works of creation, that they should rise out of nothing at a word of command; his works of providence, which have such a depth of wisdom and knowledge in them, are unsearchable and past finding out; and his works of redemption and grace; and these are so wrought by him, and such methods taken to continue the memory of them, that they cannot well be forgotten: all things in nature are as they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 111:5

He hath given meat to them that fear him ,.... Or a "prey" F8 טרף "praedam", Montanus, Vatablus, Musculus; so Ainsworth. , alluding to the spoil of the Egyptians; or to the manna; corporeal food, daily bread, which they that fear him shall not want, Psalm 34:9 spiritual meat, such that endures for ever; the flesh of Christ, which is meat indeed; the word and ordinances, in which are milk for babes, and meat for strong men; savoury meat does God give his people, such as their souls... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 111:1

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart - If we profess to "sing to the praise and glory of God," the heart, and the whole heart, without division and distraction, must be employed in the work. In the assembly - בסוד besod , in the secret assembly - the private religious meetings for the communion of saints. And in the congregation, עדה edah , the general assembly - the public congregation. There were such meetings as the former ever since God had a Church on the earth; and to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 111:2

The works of the Lord are great - גדלים gedolim , vast in magnitude; as רבים rabbim signifies their multitude and variety. Sought out - Investigated, carefully examined. Of all them that have pleasure therein - By all that delight in them: by every genuine philosopher; every lover of nature; he who traces out the great First Cause by means of his works. And the man that does so will be astonished at the perfections of the Creator, and admire all the operations of his hands. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 111:3

His work is honorable, etc. - He has done nothing in nature or grace that does not redound to his own honor and glory; and because all is done in righteousness, it endureth for ever. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 111:4

He hath made his wonderful works - He who seeks them out will never forget them; and every thing of God's framing is done in such a way, as to strike the imagination, interest the senses, and charm and edify the intellect. But the psalmist may here intend principally the works of God in behalf of the Jewish people; and particularly in their deliverance from the Babylonish captivity, which this Psalm is supposed to celebrate. read more

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