Reflections on Psalm 111

Unfortunately, we did not get to sing Psalm 111 on Sunday. Instead, due to the mighty works of God, we remained safe in our homes with the splendor of snow covering the outside world! The refrain we would have sung for the psalm was, “Praise the Lord, he is gracious and merciful. All his hands do is just.” This psalm reflects on the works of God as our creator, provider and redeemer, and also on our fear of the Lord, which leads us to delight, thankfulness, and trust.

God’s great works as creator are all around us. They drive us to awe and wonder as we see the majestic beauty of his creation—from the great mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and forests to the songs of birds, chirps of insects, the sound of rain, and the great beauty of a white world covered in snow. As we delight in them, we see the hand of the creator. We see what he has made and what he has called good. The more we understand the world and the intricacies and detail put into each and every aspect, the more we delight in the marvelous works and in our creator himself.

God’s great works as provider are seen in our family meal, where he provides the bread that gives life. It is in this life-giving meal that we renew the covenant and remember God’s promises. We eat this meal, the Eucharist, in thankfulness. God provides our daily bread because he remembers his covenant forever, and we are grateful. There is great power in this meal as the family continues to grow to include all people, all nations, all tribes, and all languages. This is our beautiful inheritance. Also, as provider, his works provide justice and show his faithfulness. He instructs us in the way of truth, and these commandments provide us with the path of faithfulness and uprightness. He is trustworthy, so we can follow him in obedience and be thankful that he is gracious and merciful.

God’s great works as redeemer are seen in the work of Christ on the cross and through his death and resurrection. The psalmist says, “he sent redemption to his people.” Christ came down to redeem the children of God and to make a new covenant. In this redemption he has kept his covenant and proved again his trustworthiness, so in him we can and should place our trust. What a great work that we wretched and lowly creatures have been redeemed by the blood of the perfect and holy Lamb! The Lord is gracious and merciful. All His hands do is just!

-Erich