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Psalm 111

This joyful song doesn't necessarily reflect specific events in the life of Israel.  Rather it's a kind of "plain vanilla" praise song that could be used often in the sanctuary.  Of course in a larger sense, there's nothing "plain vanilla" about people praising God, because very, very few in this world do praise Him.  In that sense, then, this song is really quite unique among the songs of the world.

It begins when the worship leader sings, and the people repeat, "Hallelujah!"  (Hebrew for "Let us praise the Lord") "I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation."  The phrase "with my whole heart" just means "I will let loose with everything I've got!"  It means that the singer's, body, voice, and emotions will all be involved.  It shouldn't be a quiet assembly!

And there's good reason: "The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.  His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever."  Countless times Jehovah has, as it were, placed an exclamation point on His choice of a covenant people by delivering them, first from Egypt, then from the dangers of many battles in which they were surrounded and outnumbered!  Not only so, but He's given them a fruitful land, He's greatly blessed them in it, and He's preserved it for them over and over again.

In all these ways He's "made His wonderful works to be remembered," He's proved Himself again and again to be "gracious and full of compassion" even giving "food to those who fear Him."  By all His gracious acts, He's proven that "He will ever be mindful of His covenant."  In fact, as a part of that covenant, He's given them the vast and fruitful lands of many other nations as their very own!

And perhaps even more gracious of Jehovah is the law He's given these people of His. "All His precepts are sure - they stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness."  No other nation has ever had such righteous laws, such a wonderful system of justice.  Even more, He's promised them an eternal future!  He's promised to send - through them – a Messiah, to relieve this world forever of its sin and unrighteousness, to bring in eternal blessedness.  So they sing, "He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His Name!"

Surely in view of such a God it's not too much to say, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments - His praise endures forever!" 

We too share in His covenant - forever and ever!  Should we not therefore also sing this song?

No typos were found, Alan.

Just blessed beyond words.