Praise for God Lasts Forever – Psalm 111

“Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” Psalm 111:1

The title of this psalm in Hebrew is “Hallelujah.” The psalmist faithfully fulfills this theme. Like every good author, he remains focused on his subject from beginning to end. [1]

He is wholehearted about praising God as his main objective in life. He worships God both “in the assembly of the upright” and in the larger congregation of God’s people. [2]

This reminds us that God deserves our praise in both private and public settings. We should worship Him in our homes, in small gatherings of believers, and in the larger assembly of His church. In every setting, worship is especially encouraging when shared with sincere believers whose hearts unite in praising the Lord. [3]

“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” Psalm 111:2

The psalmist next directs our attention to the works of the Lord, making them the subject of our meditation as we praise Him. These include His providential dealings with the world, with His church, and with individuals. [4]

God’s works reflect His greatness. Nothing He does is insignificant or trivial. Every work is the product of His infinite wisdom and power. [5]

Those who delight in God also delight in His works. They are “sought out of all those that have pleasure therein.” They are not satisfied with a casual or superficial glance. They diligently examine and thoughtfully consider them. Whether studying the natural world or the course of human history, our goal should be to recognize the greatness and glory of God’s works. [6]

Those who humbly and diligently seek to understand God's works will indeed find rich treasures. As Psalm 25:14 declares, “The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him.” [7]

“His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:3

“Heavenly Father, I honor You and give You glory for all Your wonderful works!”

“His righteousness endures forever." In Ecclesiastes 3:14, it is written, “I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.”

“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4

God has performed deeds worthy of being heard repetitively throughout our lifetimes. His works are marvelous and deserve to be remembered from generation to generation.

Praise the Lord for preserving His Word against all attempts to alter it or eliminate it. We remember God’s works by reading of them in the Bible.

When the Son of God came to earth and wrapped Himself in human flesh, He demonstrated God’s grace and compassion by healing the sick and casting out demons from people. In Acts 10:38, Peter testified to a group of Italians, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

God’s greatest work of compassion was sending His Son into the world so that whosever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The greatest disaster that every human soul needs rescued from is an eternity in hell. Though Jesus Christ had committed no sin, He was flogged, spit on, hit with fists, mocked and crucified to pay for our sins.

In Acts 10:43, while still preaching to a group of Italians, Peter concluded his sermon with this good news: “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Among all God’s works, His forgiveness of sin is the most astonishing. It deserves continual remembrance because it most clearly displays His grace and brings Him the greatest glory. [8]

“He has given food to those who fear Him. He will ever be mindful of His covenant.” Psalm 111:5

In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus taught us that we should love our enemies to be children of our Heavenly Father because He expresses love for His enemies. God provides sunshine and rain for both evil and good people, but He gives the Bread of Life, the revelation of Jesus Messiah, to those who humble themselves before Him and seek His presence in their lives.

God will “ever be mindful of His covenant.” God’s past faithfulness gives us a basis to believe in His future faithfulness. Not even the smallest part of His covenant shall fail to come to pass. Though people forget God’s promises, God does not. His promises stand secure forever. [9]

“He has declared to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.” Psalm 111:6

God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by helping Abraham’s descendants to conquer the seven nations of Canaan. His power was further demonstrated during David’s reign, when many surrounding nations were subdued and became tributaries to Israel. [10]

In these victories God displayed both His sovereign authority and irresistible power. He faithfully accomplishes every promise that He has made. Nothing is impossible with God. [11].

“The works of His hands are verity and justice. All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever and are done in truth and uprightness.” Psalm 111:7-8

God’s commandments are perfect. They need not, nor should they be amended or changed.

Throughout the history of the world some have doubted, denied and even deviously plotted to eliminate God’s commandments, but failed. David wrote in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” In Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

“He has sent redemption to His people. He has commanded His covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His Name.” Psalm 111:9

In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Peter wrote to us saying, “You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Thus, we can proclaim with the words of Job 19:25-26, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know... I shall see God.... How my heart yearns within me!”

God’s covenant is established forever, because “the Scripture cannot be broken.” Unlike people, whose changing minds often lead them to revise their plans, the infinitely wise God never needs to alter His laws, and neither men nor demons possess the power to overthrow it. [12]

“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 111:10

Wisdom is to fear, love and trust God above all things. The fear of the Lord helps us to say, “NO” to sin and “YES” to God.

In Joshua 1:8, the Lord told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

In John 7:16-17, Jesus declared, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” When we want to honor God, the teaching of Jesus makes perfect sense.

Praise of prideful things passes away. Reveling in rebellion ends. Praise for God lasts forever.


[1-12] Material derived, developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary