Psalm 111 Home
YHWH's deeds
Psalm 111
Translation
Access our aids for translating Hebrew poetry in Psalm 111.
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Psalm 111 is a tight-knit praise of YHWH’s deeds, with several themes woven throughout the acrostic. The deeds follow the national story of the nation coming of Egypt, being fed in the desert, and then receiving commandments to embody the covenant. That covenant is not bound to the past, however, for it is a covenant forever, with commandments that continue to grant uprightness and faithfulness, wisdom and insight, to those who pursue them.
The poem is a praise psalm, but one that sings the story of why YHWH is so worthy of praise. He has acted on behalf of his people in such a way that they know he will always act on their behalf and be worthy of praise.
The result of such a psalm is to draw the worshippers into praise and delight of YHWH and his covenantal relationship with them.
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י יָ֭דָיו אֱמֶ֣ת וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט נֶ֝אֱמָנִ֗ים כָּל־פִּקּוּדָֽיו׃ סְמוּכִ֣ים לָעַ֣ד לְעוֹלָ֑ם עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת וְיָשָֽׁר׃
The deeds of his hands are faithful and just. All his commandments are enduring, established forever and ever, practiced in faithfulness and uprightness.
vv. 7–8