Untitled Sermon (2)

Psalm 111

Hallelujah - “Although scholars often classify this as a psalm of thanksgiving, it is more accurate to call it a psalm of praise.” Because… it is a list of God attributes and not an expression of gratitude.

Psalm 112 counters Psalm 111 by giving us the characteristics of a life that truly honors these attributes of God: strong, blessed, merciful, compassionate, righteous, generous, conduct their affairs with justice, they aren’t shaken or frightened at bad news, their hearts and minds are steady, Wickedness will not win.

I don’t know about you, but I always assumed thanksgiving was praise and praise was thanksgiving, but as I began to think about it, I realized that praise is much deeper. Praise truly does acknowledge what is done - even when I am not the one to benefit, even when my life is not affected…

Praise…

Thanksgiving

Indeed, following the invitation (v. 1) and reasons for praise (vv. 2–3), the psalmist recalls God’s work on behalf of Israel, from exodus and entry into the land (vv. 4–6) to Sinai and the giving of the law (vv. 7–10). This prompts some interpreters to regard Psalm 111 as a condensed version of longer recitals of God’s salvation history (e.g., Pss. 105; 106; 136), perhaps for use by the postexilic community.

The psalmist opens with an invitation to praise (v. 1a) followed by a statement of her intent to do so with her “whole heart” in the presence of the congregation (v. 1bc). The term “heart” (leb) refers metaphorically to the inner self, the source of a person’s thoughts and feelings. The “heart” is the seat of reason, understanding, and imagination (e.g., 1 Kgs. 3:9; Ezek. 13:2). It is the conscience (e.g., 1 Sam. 25:31; 2 Sam. 24:10) and wellspring of emotions (e.g., Exod. 4:14; Isa. 35:4). The psalmist’s praise thus involves her completely; it is testimony—deeply personal and, because it takes place in the congregation, utterly public.

Yoder, C. R. (2008). Exegetical Perspective on Psalm 111. In D. L. Bartlett & B. B. Taylor (Eds.), Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary: Year B (Vol. 1, pp. 297–299). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. With undivided affections; holding back nothing. I will allow nothing to be in my heart that would interfere with the fulness of praise; no coldness or dividedness of affection; no love for other things that would deaden my love for God; no suspicion respecting him that would chill my ardour; no unbelief that would drag me down to earth, while the language of my lips ascended to God

Barnes, A. (1870–1872). Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 142). London: Blackie & Son.

It is one of the psalms, of which there are in all ten in number, that commence with the phrase Hallelu-jah in the Hebrew; in our version rendered, Praise ye the Lord. Those psalms are the 106, 111, 112, 113, 135, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150. The use of this phrase shows that the psalms where it is found were designed for public worship. It is probable that this was one of the later psalms,—a fact that might be indicated by the very use of this phrase Hallelujah. Venema supposes that it was composed in the time of the Maccabees, but of this there is no evidence.

Barnes, A. (1870–1872). Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 141). London: Blackie & Son.

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. With undivided affections; holding back nothing. I will allow nothing to be in my heart that would interfere with the fulness of praise; no coldness or dividedness of affection; no love for other things that would deaden my love for God;

Barnes, A. (1870–1872). Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 142). London: Blackie & Son.

A man who loves God will have real pleasure in studying his works as well as his word; and it is as proper to find pleasure in the one as in the other,—as proper to wish to find the knowledge which the one imparts as that which the other bestows. One great error among the friends of God is the neglect to study his works

Barnes, A. (1870–1872). Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 142). London: Blackie & Son.

By more than one definition, Psalm 111 is a primer of praise. As a primer can provide a brief introduction to a subject, so this psalm introduces God’s praiseworthy deeds. It is the first of a trilogy of psalms beginning with the declaration, Praise the Lord (Hallelu Yah).

A primer is also a device used to teach children to read. Some have suggested that the acrostic style in which this psalm was written was used to help Hebrew children learn their letters. As a primer is also a thing which ignites something else, so Psalm 111 is intended to provoke an explosion of praise in the worshiper.

After the opening verse with its promise of exuberant, public and widespread praise (I will extol the Lord), the remainder of the psalm provides reasons for praise (see 111:2–10) which focus on the great works of God

Lennox, S. J. (1999). Psalms: a Bible commentary in the Wesleyan tradition (p. 341). Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House.

for what is said about God in the first of these psalms is affirmed of the godly man in the second, which is a way of saying, “You will become like the god you worship. If you worship a false god or idol, you will become like your false god. But if you worship the true God of the Bible, you will become strong, gracious, compassionate, righteous, generous, just, and steadfast, as he is.”

Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 107–150: An Expositional Commentary (p. 907). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

It is probably a safe bet to say that most people today are not much interested in wisdom. They are interested in making money and in having a good time. Some are interested in knowing something, in getting an education. Almost everyone wants to be well liked. But wisdom? The pursuit of wisdom is not a popular ideal. Yet we need wisdom to run our lives, and lacking it we make shipwreck not only of our own lives but also of the lives of others. Examples are all about us.

Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 107–150: An Expositional Commentary (p. 911). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Knowing the Bible. It is only in the Bible and by a careful study of the Bible that God can be known and wisdom acquired. How foolish, then, that we do not take time to study the Bible carefully. Martin Luther once said, “We are accustomed to admit freely that God is more powerful than we are, but not that he is wiser than we are. To be sure, we say that he is; but when it comes to a showdown, we do not want to act on what we say.”

Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 107–150: An Expositional Commentary (pp. 911–912). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.