You Are Not the Only One

Unless otherwise cited, the scriptures in this devotional are from the KJV of the Bible located on Biblegateway.com

Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm. This poem used two clauses for each verse, except for the last verse, which has three, for a total of 22 clauses, each beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet that has 22 letters.  This psalm is difficult to classify because it identifies with the style of a hymnic, thanksgiving, or a psalm of the wisdom style of literature due to the terminology contained with the psalm. It also references the psalmist’s legal relationship with YHWH and iterates the construct that knowledge of the Lord and a relationship with him bring one understanding of his ways. The psalmist also references the enormous acts of God. In particular, his acts of redemptive mercies towards his people. The psalmist connotes the position of teacher or worship leader in this psalm.

Let’s praise the Lord

1 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

The psalmist begins with a “Call to Worship” that most modern worship leaders can relate to. He tells the people to “praise the Lord” and tells them how and where to praise him. Matt. 22:37 reminds us of this phrase in Psalm 111. ““You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart.” Why should we worship him in this manner? Because…

His works are great

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 forever. The psalmist details why YHWH’s we should worship the Lord our God. In the psalmist’s time, His greatest work would have been the deliverance of His people from the Egyptians and the great exodus from Egypt. See Exod. 34:6; Neh. 9:17; Pss 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13 as to God’s expectations from His people. Also, when one looks around their own environment, they can see his amazingly awesome creative powers. Just look at sunrise or sunset in your area. If you live in the city, drive to somewhere where plants are growing and flowers are blooming. Visit a nature preserve online and view the beauty of all that he has created for us. Click here for some pictures of the most beautiful forests in the world.

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. He promised to provide for His children. Sometimes it will happen when we least expect it, and sometimes it will not happen as we expect. But he is true to His word. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” reminds us that He always keeps his word to us.

Gen. chapters 37-50 speaks to how God provided for the patriarchs from Jacob all the way through to Joseph. He talked to Abraham about making his children’s children like the stars of the sky; this is known as the Abrahamic promise Gen. 15:5. Also, look at these scriptures  Gen. 15:18-21; 17:1-8 God provided for them spiritually and physically. Today He does the same thing for His children. Therefore, he expects us to be examples of this belief in His providence to this world of lost souls. However, instead of s being examples of unwavering faith in His providence, Hebrews 5:12 speaks of a church age when… “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Friends, it should not be so! Human nature grips us, and we forget from where we have come. Our plans for ourselves are rarely ever God’s plans for us. He will lead us to move and or act upon a vision. Sometimes we get it 100% correct, but we do not hit it out of the ballpark most of the time. He does understand our weaknesses. Just get up and walk in faith again.

We have conquered and we will keep your covenant.

⁶ He hath shewed his people the power of his works; after they came out of the desert, the conquests of the people of God are chronicled in the books of Joshua 1 – 12. Verse 6 part b. that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. But there will come a time again when all of the earth will worship the God of David. See Revelation 21. Salvation is offered to the entire world now, today. God is no longer only working with the chosen people of Israel. 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. Christians know that they have hope and they have a future. Redemption comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Redeemer. It is not something that anyone can earn by doing good.

Fear of the Lord

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Reverence is a word that we are familiar with. It means the same as the word that is used for fear here. His name is above all names. We reverence him because he is so pure and holy. We are aware that we are not holy.

References

Cayce, Ken. 2017. “Books of the Bible.”  http://www.bible-studys.org/About%20Me.html. Accessed  August 5, 2021.

Longman, Tremper, III. 2014. Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. Accessed August 5, 2021, Google.