Psalm 111 is a Paschal psalm of whole-hearted confession, and St Augustine reminds us that “confession” here does not mean only confession of sins. “The praise of God is poured forth in the devotion of confession.” The Psalm celebrates the Lord’s works, covenant remembrance, redemption, and the gift of holy fear.
Its spiritual center is worship that becomes obedience. The Lord’s works are not to be admired from a distance; they are to form a life. Augustine’s warning is sharp and pastorally necessary: “to understand, and not to do, is dangerous.” The Psalm therefore moves from praise in the assembly to wisdom expressed in keeping the commandments.
Psalm 111 (LXX 110) - I Will Give Thee Thanks, O Lord, with My Whole Heart
Psalm Metadata
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| NKJV / Masoretic numbering | Psalm 111 |
| Septuagint / Coptic numbering | Psalm 110 |
| Accepted author | Alleluia. |
| Period in author’s life | No precise life event is given; the Psalm is a liturgical thanksgiving for the works of the Lord. |
| Christ prophecy status | Typological and ecclesial. The works of the Lord, the covenant, the redemption, and the fear of the Lord point toward Christ, the wisdom of God, and the new covenant. |
| Coptic lectionary/service use | Scripture from this study has an established place in the Coptic Orthodox lectionary through documented Church readings. |
| Numbering issue | This note embeds Brenton LXX Psalm 110. The local lectionary rows (if any) would preserve printed Psalm 111 references. |
Historical and Scriptural Context
Psalm 111 is an acrostic Psalm (each line begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet). It is a hymn of praise for the mighty acts of God in history, especially the Exodus and the covenant. It stands beside Psalm 112, which is also acrostic and focuses on the blessed man who fears the Lord.
Scripturally, it echoes the Song of Moses and the wisdom literature on the fear of the Lord.
Geographical Significance ⛰️
The geography is the inheritance of the heathen, the land promised to the people of God. The works of the Lord are seen in the giving of the land and the redemption of the people.
The Characters 👥
The Lord. The God whose works are great, who is merciful and compassionate, who remembers His covenant, who sends redemption, and whose name is holy and fearful.
They that fear Him. Those who receive food from the Lord and have a good understanding.
The upright / the congregation. The assembly in which the psalmist gives thanks.
🕯️ Light from the Word
Psalm 110:1-3, I will give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart
110:1 Alleluia. I will give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation. 110:2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out according to all his will. 110:3 His work is worthy of thanksgiving and honour: and his righteousness endures for ever and ever.
The Psalm opens with the resolve to give thanks to the Lord with the whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great, sought out according to all His will. His work is worthy of thanksgiving and honour, and His righteousness endures for ever and ever.
St Augustine sees the whole heart as the total devotion that is required in thanksgiving. Theodoret emphasizes that the works of the Lord are great and worthy of praise.
The Christological reading is that Christ is the wisdom and power of God, and His works are the foundation of our thanksgiving.
Lesson Guide
- Key phrases: “I will give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart”; “The works of the Lord are great.”
- Emphasize: thanksgiving with the whole heart is the response to the great works of God.
- Avoid: half-hearted praise. The Psalm calls for total devotion.
Psalm 110:4-6, He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered
110:4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is merciful and compassionate. 110:5 He has given food to them that fear him: he will remember his covenant for ever. 110:6 He has declared to his people the power of his works, to give them the inheritance of the heathen.
The Psalm continues with the remembrance of the wonderful works of the Lord. The Lord is merciful and compassionate. He has given food to them that fear Him: He will remember His covenant for ever. He has declared to His people the power of His works, to give them the inheritance of the heathen.
St Augustine sees the remembrance of the wonderful works as the foundation of faith. Theodoret emphasizes that the Lord remembers His covenant for ever.
The Christological depth is that Christ is the mercy and compassion of God, and the new covenant is remembered in the Eucharist.
Lesson Guide
- Key phrases: “He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered”; “he will remember his covenant for ever.”
- Emphasize: the remembrance of God’s works and covenant is the source of hope and praise.
- Avoid: forgetting the mighty acts of God. The Psalm teaches the importance of memory in faith.
Psalm 110:7-10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
110:7 The works of his hands are truth and judgment: all his commandments are sure: 110:8 established for ever and ever, done in truth and uprightness. 110:9 He sent redemption to his people: he commanded his covenant for ever: holy and fearful is his name. 110:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and all that act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever and ever.
The Psalm concludes with the declaration that the works of His hands are truth and judgment, all His commandments are sure, established for ever and ever, done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption to His people: He commanded His covenant for ever: holy and fearful is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and all that act accordingly have a good understanding; His praise endures for ever and ever.
St Augustine sees the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom that leads to the praise that endures for ever. Theodoret emphasizes that the name of the Lord is holy and fearful.
The Christological reading is that Christ is the wisdom of God, and the fear of the Lord leads to the knowledge of Him.
Lesson Guide
- Key phrases: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”; “his praise endures for ever and ever.”
- Emphasize: the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom and enduring praise.
- Avoid: separating wisdom from the fear of God. The Psalm teaches that true wisdom begins with reverence.
The Church’s Voice in Worship 📖
Scripture from this study has an established place in the Coptic Orthodox lectionary through documented Church readings.
Iconography Connection 🖼️
Psalm 111 connects with icons of the wisdom of God, the covenant, and the fear of the Lord. The icon of Christ the Wisdom of God reminds the faithful that the fear of the Lord leads to the knowledge of Christ.
Spiritual Fruit 🍇
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Give thanks with the whole heart. Let your praise be total and public, in the congregation of the upright.
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Remember the wonderful works of the Lord. Make a practice of recalling the mighty acts of God in history and in your life.
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Fear the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. Let reverence for God be the foundation of your understanding and actions.
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Trust the enduring covenant. The Lord remembers His covenant for ever; rest in His faithfulness.
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Praise the Lord for ever and ever. Let your life be a continuous offering of praise that endures.
Teacher's Notes
- Timing: 10 minutes for the whole heart of thanksgiving, 15 minutes for the works and covenant of the Lord, 15 minutes for the fear of the Lord and wisdom, 10 minutes for application.
- Where to linger: Psalm 110:9-10.
- Key phrase to say slowly: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and all that act accordingly have a good understanding.”
- Pastoral warning: do not use the Psalm to promise material inheritance without the fear of the Lord. The wisdom and the inheritance are for those who fear God.
Glossary
- Council of the upright: The assembly of the righteous where praise is offered.
- Inheritance of the heathen: The promise of the land and the nations given to the people of God.
- Fear of the Lord: The reverence and awe that is the beginning of wisdom.
- Redemption: The deliverance from bondage that the Lord has sent to His people.
Translation and Source Notes
Embedded Scripture is Brenton’s English Septuagint, Psalm 110. The study title uses NKJV/Masoretic numbering first, Psalm 111, with LXX 110 in parentheses. No verified local lectionary rows were found for the printed Psalm 111 in the current data.
Sources
Primary sources: Brenton Septuagint, Psalm 110; Proverbs 9:10; St Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 111 in the older English numbering tradition corresponding to LXX Psalm 110; Theodoret of Cyrus, Commentary on Psalm 111 in the Hill translation.
Coptic Orthodox / liturgical sources: Scripture from this study has an established place in the Coptic Orthodox lectionary through documented Church readings.