Psalm 111:1

Psalm 111:1

Praise the Lord!

Before we start to unpick this Psalm, it will pay to read it through and then read Psalm 112 as well. Psalm 111 is a beautiful expression of praise and worship to the Lord. Each phrase seems familiar and there is little here that we have not considered before but, the writer clearly felt the need to gather the many expressions of praise and fit them together in one place. There would no longer be a need to go searching for words to extol God’s unfailing righteousness and provision for His people, it’s all here.

Conversely, Psalm 112 expresses the effects of God’s goodness and love for His people, it is a summary of all His blessings to us. So, the first of these Psalms point us heavenwards and the next one relates the blessings that flow earthwards for those who trust and obey their God. Both scenarios give us plenty to praise Him for. Hallelujah!

 

V1        The Hebrew word for Praise the Lord is, of course, “Hallelujah or Hallelu – Yah!”. It’s a wonderful thing when our worship and our prayers begin with this expression of praise. What a beautiful word and may we repeat it as often as we can, for it is only ever used in the context of the worship of the Lord. It is one of the only words in our language that applies to Him alone. 

Now we are invited to join others in our praising, in this instance it is the Council of the Upright and the Assembly. Some commentators link this with the heavenly Council where the “elohim” meet together with the Lord (see Psalm 82). However, I think the psalmist had a more earthly gathering in mind, I believe that the Assembly was probably the great gathering of people who came to the Tabernacle / Temple. Amongst these were the truly godly, an intimate circle of people who loved and faithfully served the Lord and upheld His Word. In this gathering our writer was able to “extol the Lord with all his heart.” 

Most of us will have been in large gatherings of believers where infectious hymns and songs of praise are sung and hands are raised in exaltation of the Lord. What is far more intimate and meaningful are those times when we gather with brothers and sisters who truly know Yeshua and whose lives are a living example of their faith. In those moments of intimacy with Him, the Spirit falls, the heart is warmed, the words flow, and we are united in our love for Him. These are very special times and can only be experienced by those who are in intimate fellowship with one another and with the Lord. 

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