Psalm 111 — Growing with Praise — Reading the Psalms

1 Praise ye the LORD.
I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart,
In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great,
Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honour and majesty:
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,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are truth and judgement;
All his precepts are sure.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
They are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He hath sent redemption unto his people;
He hath commanded his covenant for ever:
Holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all they that do thereafter:
His praise endureth for ever.

In this great celebration of God we are called to praise and give thanks. This simple act of gracious praise can be easily overlooked in the busy Christian’s life. Yet, it’s the cornerstone of every psalmist’s call.

It is in the remembrance of God’s works that we’re given the words of our praise. It is in the knowledge of the blessings given that we can lift lips of thanksgiving. To read and speak aloud the words, “his righteousness endures forever” both praises God and nourishes our faith.

But we must not see this as some self fulfilling prophecy. No, it is not that the words become true because we believe them. Rather, that God is gracious and full of compassion is the enduring truth, whether we acknowledge it or not.

The apostle Paul lets us know that the root behind the world’s failures and rejection of God’s truth is that they “did not honor him as God, nor give thanks unto him.” We ignore these psalms at our peril. They are the templates for our prayer and meditation. We read them for inspiration. We read them to know God, his heart, will and work. As we read them the truth of God fills our faith.