Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
If we want to praise the Lord in a fitting manner, we do not have to heed the words of self-styled worship leaders and church growth specialists. Nor do we have to consult the business experts, gurus, and motivational speakers who deign to tell us the ways we can live our best life now. As always, the Word of God is our guide.
Psalm 111 is one such guide. The Psalmist gives praise to the Lord as he describes God’s great works. The Lord has provided not only for our needs, but the needs of all creation. He provides blessings for His chosen people, for those He has redeemed in and through Christ Jesus as well as all mankind, whether they know it or not. Furthermore, we rejoice that the Lord has helped His people time and again. Especially worthy of praise are the facts that the Lord is utterly true to His word and that he has provided redemption for His people. He has taken away their sins so they may dwell with Him forever. Therefore we have nothing to worry or fret about. The Lord has taken care of it all.
This psalm should remind us that when we worship, we too ought to praise the Lord for the great things He has done in the created world as well as the blessings He has given us as individuals and corporately as the Body of Christ. As we mediate on His greatness we are humbled and our worship is balanced. Our fear and respect of the Lord will help us to obey whatever He commands as we realize that, although He is concerned with our cares, desires and needs, these are minor compared with what He wants us to do and what He wants to give us. As we allow His desires to overshadow our own we will find that we will gain the godly wisdom He wants to give us to carry out His work.