Psalms 111

Psalms 111, 112 bear a singular resemblance in their formal structure. They are both alphabetic, each line, reckoning the “hallelujah” as the title, beginning with a new letter of the alphabet serially, and thus each engrossing the entire Hebrew alphabet. In both, also, each verse has two lines, excepting the first and the last two, which have three. But these artificial marks have no exegetical importance, further than to corroborate the principle of parallelism in Hebrew poetry. This is also the first of another series of hallelujah psalms, (Psalms 111-113; Psalms 115-117,) which begin or end with “Praise ye Jah.” The psalm before us extols Jehovah, while the following one speaks the praise of the righteous man. Thus Psalms 111:3-5; Psalms 111:9, speaks of the righteousness, grace, and faithfulness of Jehovah, while the same qualities are ascribed to the righteous man in Psalms 112:3-4; Psalms 112:7-8. Thus God and godliness are set forth in unity, and these two psalms are but two parts of one whole. In Psalms 111:0, the works of God constitute the theme. They are great, honourable, wonderful, mighty, merciful, righteous, faithful. His plans are deep and comprehensive, and the lapse of time abates nothing of his fidelity to that everlasting covenant he has made with his people. Specially has he wrought out a “redemption for his people,” (Psalms 111:6; Psalms 111:9,) which now opens fresh fountains of joy and cause of praise and hope. The covenant which appeared broken and cast away now appears confirmed and renewed by the very judgments which had darkened the nation’s hopes. The Asaphic and postexilic style and tone of the psalm must be also considered. We must refer it to the time of the return of the exiles.