Psalms 111 - Introduction

The author of this psalm is unknown, as is the occasion on which it was composed. 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 Psalms 106; Psalms 111:1; Psalms 112:1; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 135; Psalms 146:1; Psalms 147; Psalms 148:1; Psalms 149:1; and Psalms 150:1 : 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.

This is one of the alphabetical psalms. In that class of psalms there is considerable variety. In some a letter of the Hebrew alphabet commences each verse in the psalm; in others, the successive letters of the alphabet begin each two or three verses in succession, or, as in Psalms 119; eight verses in succession; in others, the successive letters of the alphabet are used in the beginning of separate clauses of the “verses” of a psalm.

The peculiarity of this psalm is that the first eight verses of the psalm contain “two” clauses, beginning with the letters of the alphabet taken in their order; the last two verses, “three”. Why this arrangement was adopted, it is impossible now to determine - as it is in regard to “many” things which are thought to be beauties in poetry. There is very much in the measure, the rhythm, the rhyme, of modern poetry, that is quite as artificial, and quite as inexplicable, as this.

The psalm is call to the praise of God on account of his “works,” and is designed to suggest grounds of confidence in him as drawn “from” those works. It is, therefore, of universal applicability; and may be used in any nation, at any time, and among any people. It is a psalm which may be translated into all the languages of the world, and whatever language people may speak, it would exppress in their own tongue what they have occasion to give thanks for in the various lands where they dwell.