Psalm 111

Intro

Read Psalm 111

Psalm 111 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Praise the Lord’s Work

Psalm 111:1–3 ESV

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

Praise the Lord

A shout of praise and a commitment

I will give thanks with my whole heart

This is a reminder that when we praise God we praise with everything we are

We give thanks to God for everything

In everything

The Good and the Bad

We can give thanks and praise him because of what he has done

Again we are putting God high

Giving him great reverence because his works are great

Full of splendor and majesty

A key for for a thanks giving song

A song that praises God for who he is and what he has done

Rather than a lament about the things he hasnt done yet

As Christians we can sing this song of praise in everything because we know of the Works God has done

In fact as the psalmist says here we study and delight in his works

We read the bible more than that we study the bible so that we can delight in his works

I love how these first three verses are constructed

Lifting God on high not because of on miraculous thing God has done but rather for all the things he has done

We can have so much more confidence becasue our faith and hope our praise for God is not just bound to a feeling but the unchanging truth revealed through the scripture about how great God is.

And how gracious he is

Praise his graciousness

Read Psalm 111:4-6

Psalm 111:4–6 ESV

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

We praise the Lord for his great works

Chief among those works is his graciousness toward us his creation

His creation who rebeled against him yet he shows them grace and mercy

He provides for them food for them

a historical reminder of God’s provision for his people when they wandered in the wilderness

He remembers his covenant with them forever

Part of God’s mercy and graciousness for us that he would remember his promises forever

That he would not forget his people

Praise his faithfulness

Read Psalm 111:7-10

Psalm 111:7–10 ESV

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

This great song of praise to the Lord finishes out with this proclamation of the Lord’s faithfulness

He is faithful in the works of his hand

In his creation

In his raising and falling of kings and rulers

In his mercy to his people

In the writing of his precepts

Again we go back to the word

His precepts are trustworthy

The law is trustworthy

The commands are trust worthy

God will not leads us astray with his commands but will use them to build our trust in him

All the discoveries about the bible have only added to its credibility

We can trust in God’s faithfulness through his commands

and we can obey those commands through his faithfulness to us

Because of his salvation he provides for us

When Israel sings this Psalm they look at the redemption of his people in terms of the exodus

Psalm 111:9 ESV

9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!

we now can sing this praise all the louder because he sent redemption in the form of his Son

And he has indeed commanded his covenant forever

He has seen it through to completion

The offspring of the women has crushed the head of the serpent

Sin and death has been conquered through Christ Jesus our lord

and for that we can praise God’s faithfulness to us and sing Holy and awesome is his name

The Awe of the Lord is where our wisdom starts

Psalm 111:10 ESV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Marveling at His Works

Bible Passage: Ps 111:1–10

Summary: This passage focuses on how the works of the Lord are great and worthy of contemplation, encouraging reverence and praise.

Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize the greatness of God's works in their lives, prompting them to engage in gratitude, worship, and a deeper faith, especially during times of doubt or struggle.

Teaching: The sermon can teach about the importance of remembering and reflecting on God's works throughout history and in our personal lives, fostering a heart of worship.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme points to Christ as the ultimate manifestation of God's wondrous works, particularly in his life, death, and resurrection, revealing God's faithfulness and goodness to humanity.

Big Idea: Recognizing and rejoicing in the greatness of God's works cultivates a heart of worship and inspires us to live in accordance with His ways.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving deep into the historical context of Psalm 111 using Logos to explore its themes of divine providence. Look into commentaries that discuss the literary structure of psalms and their theological implications. Additionally, investigate how this psalm relates to the New Testament teaching of Christ's works and their significance for believers today.

1. Ponder His Powerful Works

Ps 111:1-3

You could explore the power and majesty of the Lord's works as an invitation to praise. Perhaps discuss how acknowledging these mighty acts fosters a spirit of gratitude, steering us away from negativity and doubt. The early verses introduce God's works as glorious deeds, showing that our praise should reflect the greatness of His actions. Encouraging believers to view their lives through this lens can inspire worship and the acknowledgment of God's continued goodness, including the ultimate revelation found in Christ.

2. Perceive His Graciousness

Ps 111:4-6

Maybe delve into the gracious and compassionate character of the Lord as demonstrated through His works. Highlight the idea of remembrance, examining how recalling these acts of mercy helps us see Christ's profound love and sacrifice. Recognizing God's provision and care through historical and personal lenses can drive us to live more compassionately. Discuss how meditating on Christ as the fulfillment of God's gracious deeds opens our eyes to the ongoing presence of His love.

3. Praise His Faithful Promises

Ps 111:7-10

Perhaps focus on the trustworthy and eternal nature of God's precepts and His acts of redemption. Discuss how this assurance strengthens our faith and aligns our lives with Christ's teachings. Understanding that God's ways are just and His promises secure inspires a faithful walk, particularly during times of uncertainty. This segment offers an opportunity to reflect on how the faithfulness displayed in Christ's redemptive work reassures believers of their salvation and compels them to live righteously.