Psalm CXI
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly 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 honourable and glorious:
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.
That he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment;
All his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He 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 his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
An Alphabetic Psalm. It may be sung now, in the same manner that it might be sung long ago in the temple; but it is fit also for that day described in Rev. xix. 1, 3, 4, the day of many “Hallelujahs,” such as this Psalm begins with and reiterates. Messiah might sing it on earth and in the kingdom, and so may each of his members.
The plan is simple. In verse 1 we hear of “The assembly (the confidential meeting) of the upright,^’ whether such assemblies as meet now, or that great multitude that shall meet at the Great Day in the kingdom, “The Congregation.” In verse 2 we have the theme of praise, Jehovah’s works, which engages the attention of all in these meetings,” The ivories of Jehovah sought
The contents.
out according to all their wishes,’^ (Hengst.). They find “majesty and glory” therein; they find (ver. 4) “He has erected a memorial for his luonderful works,” i. e., made them as certainly to be remembered as when men erect a memorial edifice. At verse 7 the unchangeahleness of his ways is the leading thought, occurring in verses 8 and 9 again. And then this sweet song of Zion closes with (ver. 10) the solemn expression of entire satisfaction in the Lord and his ways. It is worth noticing that verse 10 sings,
“The beginning of wisdom is Jehovah’s fear. ^’
Job had declared that truth to the sons of men in the earliest ages, xxviii. 28. In after days, Solomon (Prov. i. 7) declared it with all the authority of his unparalleled wisdom and greatness. But here, Messiah and his members may be regarded as singing it, not on earth only, but in the kingdom — in “The assembly of the upright.” They shall tell for ever of all true wisdom being found in the Lord, Never till they knew Him did any of them know ought that could satisfy; but in knowing Him, all found eternal life. Out of this Fountain of Wisdom they drink for evermore. “Holy and fearful is his name!” Herein lies wisdom — they that know that name (and Messiah came to reveal it all) are for ever blessed. Such shall be Ihe Hallelujah of Messiah and his metiibers in reviewing the past.