Every verse here opens — tap a number for what that one means.
1Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Commentary
Psalm 111, explained
What Psalm 111 is saying
Psalm 111 is an acrostic hymn of praise in which each half-verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, celebrating God's works and character. The psalm moves from praising God's majestic deeds to His provision of food (echoing manna), His covenant faithfulness, and the redemption He has sent. It culminates in the famous wisdom declaration: 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.'
The background behind it
The communal worship setting ('in the assembly of the upright') suggests liturgical use in post-exilic temple worship. The acrostic structure served both mnemonic and aesthetic purposes, demonstrating the completeness and orderliness of God's works through the completeness of the alphabet.
Themes running underneath
The psalm establishes a tight connection between God's deeds and His character—His works are the visible expression of His faithfulness, justice, and covenant commitment. The concluding wisdom sentence (v. 10) bridges praise and ethics, asserting that right worship leads to right living.
Why it still matters
The acrostic form itself teaches that praise should be comprehensive and ordered, not haphazard. The psalm also insists that genuine wisdom begins not with intellectual inquiry but with reverent awe before God.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.