Psalms 111:1-10: a reflection

1Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation. 2The LORD’s works are great, pondered by all those who delight in them. 3His work is honor and majesty. His righteousness endures forever. 4He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. The LORD is gracious and merciful. 5He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant. 6He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure. 8They are established forever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness. 9He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Psalm 111 is a hymn of praise for the works of God, and it commends a particular practice: Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. The psalmist does not merely glance at God's works; he studies them, ponders them, delights in them, and calls others to do the same. God's works are great, worthy of careful contemplation, and those who delight in them study them, dwelling on what God has done rather than rushing past. And the psalm ends with the great refrain: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Notice the invitation to study and delight in God's works. The psalmist does not treat God's works as things to be noticed briefly and forgotten; he studies them, ponders them, delights in them. God's works, in creation, in redemption, in his dealings with his people, are worthy of careful, delighted contemplation, of being pondered and dwelt upon, not rushed past. Those who love God delight to study what he has done.

That commends a practice we often neglect: pondering, studying, delighting in the works of God. We can rush through life, noticing God's works only briefly, if at all, never pausing to ponder and delight in them. But the psalmist calls us to study God's works, to dwell on them, to delight in what he has done, in creation, in the gospel, in his faithfulness to us. Take time to ponder the works of the LORD. Do not rush past them, but study them, dwell on them, delight in them, letting the contemplation of what God has done fill you with wonder and praise. Great are the works of the LORD; ponder them, delight in them, and let them lead you to worship the God who does such things.

Lord, your psalm says, great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them, commending the practice of pondering and delighting in what you have done. Teach me to study and delight in your works. I can rush through life, noticing your works only briefly, if at all, never pausing to ponder and delight in them. But your works, in creation, in the gospel, in your faithfulness to me, are worthy of careful, delighted contemplation. Help me take time to ponder your works, to dwell on them, to delight in what you have done, rather than rushing past. Let the contemplation of your works fill me with wonder and praise, and lead me to worship you, the God who does such great things. Great are your works, Lord; help me ponder them and delight in them.