Psalms 111:1-10
1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meata unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a goodb understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Pss. CXI. and CXII. These are sister Pss. as is shown by their structure. Each contains nine verses. Each verse has two lines, each line beginning with a letter of the alphabet in due succession. We have thus eighteen lines, so that we get eighteen letters of the acrostic in all. To get twenty-one lines in each, corresponding to the number of letters in the alphabet, the author or authors added at the end of each Ps. a verse with three lines, which is precisely the number wanted. The Hallelujah at the beginning of each is a later liturgical addition which destroys the acrostic. Psalms 111 is chiefly occupied with the greatness and goodness of Yahweh. Psalms 112 finds its theme chiefly in the corresponding truth, viz. the happiness of the godly.
CXI. Psalms 111:2. Sought out: to be sought out would be better.
Psalms 111:4. to be remembered: i.e. in the ceremonial worship.
Psalms 111:5. prey (mg.) instead of meat is due to the difficulty of the acrostic.
Psalms 111:9. Yahweh gave His people deliverance from Egypt and the covenant or Law.
Psalms 111:10. not the beginning, but the best.
Psalms 112:9. righteousness: the salvation which man receives (cf. Psalms 24:5). In Psalms 111:3 righteousness is that which God does.