Psalms 111:2

111:1-10 The Lord is to be praised for his works. - The psalmist resolves to praise God himself. Our exhortations and our examples should agree together. He recommends the works of the Lord, as the proper subject, when we are praising him; and the dealings of his providence toward the world, the church, and particular persons. All the works of the Lord are spoken of as one, it is his work; so admirably do all the dispensations of his providence centre in one design. The works of God, humbly and diligently sought into, shall all be found just and holy. God's pardoning sin is the most wonderful of all his works, and ought to be remembered to his glory. He will ever be mindful of his covenant; he has ever been so, and he ever will be so. His works of providence were done according to the truth of the Divine promises and prophecies, and so were verity, or truth; and by him who has a right to dispose of the earth as he pleases, and so are judgment, or righteous: and this holds good of the work of grace upon the heart of man, ver. 7,8. All God's commandments are sure; all have been fulfilled by Christ, and remain with him for a rule of walk and conversation to us. He sent redemption unto his people, out of Egypt at first, and often afterwards; and these were typical of the great redemption, which in the fulness of time was to be wrought out by the Lord Jesus. Here his everlasting righteousness shines forth in union with his boundless mercy.

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 meat 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. Psalm 111:2 "The works of the Lord are great." In design, in size, in number, in excellence, all the works of the Lord are great. Even the little things of God are great. In some point of view or other each one of the productions of his power, or the deeds of his wisdom, will appear to be great to the wise in heart. "Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Those who love their Maker delight in his handiworks, they perceive that there is more in them than appears upon the surface, and therefore they bend their minds to study and understand them. The devout naturalist ransacks nature, the earnest student of history pries into hidden facts and dark stories, and the man of God digs into the mines of Scripture, and hoards up each grain of its golden truth.

God's works are worthy of our researches, they yield us instruction and pleasure wonderfully blended, and they grow upon, appearing to be far greater, after investigation than before. Men's works are noble from a distance; God's works are great when sought out. Delitzsch reads the passage, "Worthy of being sought after in all their purposes," and this also is a grand truth, for the end and design which God hath in all that he makes or does is equally admirable with the work itself. The hidden wisdom of God is the most marvellous part of his works, and hence those who do not look below the surface miss the best part of what he would teach us. Because the works are great they cannot be seen all at once, but must be looked into with care, and this seeking out is of essential service to us by educating our faculties, and strengthening our spiritual eye gradually to bear the light of the divine glory. It is well for us that all things cannot be seen at a glance, for the search into their mysteries is as useful to us as the knowledge which we thereby attain. The history of the Lord's dealings with his people is especially a fit subject for the meditation of reverent minds who find therein a sweet solace, and a never failing source of delight. Psalm 111:3 "His work is honourable and glorious." His one special work, the salvation of his people, is here mentioned as distinguished from his many other works. This reflects honour and glory upon him.

(2) Sought out — i.e., they are the object of meditation and enquiry. (See Note, Psalm 105:4 .) The psalmist was no doubt thinking of historical proofs of Jehovah’s goodness to the chosen race, but his words are capable of a wide range. The best illustration of them may be found in the writings in which Mr. Ruskin warns this generation against the danger of insensibility to natural beauty.

Verse 2. - The works of the Lord are great . Not his material works, but the doings of his providence (see vers. 3-9). Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein . Searched into and carefully studied by all who take an interest in such things. Deru- shim , "objects of study," is etymologically connected with madrasa , a college, a "place of study and research." Psalm 111:2

The works of the Lord; either, 1. The works of creation ; or rather, 2. The works of his providence in the world, and especially in and for his church and people, of which he speaks in the rest of the Psalm. Are great, for the infinite power, and wisdom, and goodness manifested in them. Sought out; highly valued and regarded, as this very word and phrase is used, Deu 11:12 Isaiah 62:12 ; or frequently called to mind, and diligently meditated upon, when others either never regarded them, or instantly forget them: or, found out , as this word is taken, Isaiah 65:1 ; the antecedent being put for the consequent, which is frequent in Scripture, as Romans 12:2 , where proving or trying (for so the Greek word there signifies) is put for approving, which follows after it. And found out , i.e. truly and thoroughly understood, both as to the nature of them, and God’s counsels and ends in them; whereas the works of God are ofttimes not apprehended or minded, or are mistaken and misconstrued, by ungodly men. Of all them that have pleasure therein; of all them who take delight in observing and considering the works of God.

2 . The ground of praise. The doings of Jehovah of which the Psalmist is thinking are those which He has wrought for His people ( Psalm 111:6 ), but for us they will include His works in Nature ( Psalm 104:13 ; Psalm 104:24 ; Psalm 104:31 ) as well as in history. They are studied or to be studied (Jer. exquirenda ) with loving diligence by all who delight in learning to understand His revelation of Himself ( Psalm 1:2 ; Nehemiah 1:11 ). Less probable are the renderings in regard to all their desirableness ( Proverbs 8:11 ); or, in regard to all their (LXX his ) purposes .