Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 111:7
The works of his hands [are] verity and judgment; all his commandments [are] sure.
7. verity and judgment ] Truth and right. Jehovah’s actions are manifestations of His eternal attributes of truth and justice (Deu 32:4). He is constantly true to His promises, unfailingly just in His moral government of the world. The gift of Canaan to Israel was the fulfilment of His promise to the patriarchs, while the expulsion of its former inhabitants was a just retribution for their sins (Deu 9:4-5).
his commandments ] R.V. his precepts, the various special injunctions in which man’s duties are set forth. These are sure, trustworthy, not mutable or arbitrary. By a natural transition the Psalmist passes from the mighty works which Jehovah has done for His people to the commandments which He has given them. The memories of Sinai naturally follow those of the Exodus. This verse is a reminiscence of Psa 19:7-9: cp. also Psa 111:3 b with Psa 19:9 a. The word for precepts is peculiar to the Psalter: Psa 19:8; Psa 103:18; Psalms 119 (21 times).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The works of his hands – All that he does in the works of creation and providence; all in his acts toward the children of men.
Are verity – Truth. That is, They tend to establish and confirm the truth; they are done in the cause or the defense of truth. Truth in any case may be ascertained by what God does, for all that he defends and protects is truth, and his acts, therefore, may be regarded as an expression of what is true and right.
And judgment – In the cause of justice; or, in maintaining the principles of right. God never does anything to vindicate wrong. None of his acts can be fairly interpreted as having been done to sustain injustice, fraud, deceit, ambition, oppression, murder, or licentiousness. That he suffers free agents to do these things without interference is no evidence that he approves of them. That he disapproves of them is shown
(a) by his declarations;
(b) by his threatenings;
(c) by all that he does to punish the wicked here.
All his commandments are sure – His statutes; his ordinances. They are sure; that is, they are to be relied on; or, are worthy of confidence.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Verity and judgment] His works are verity or truth, because they were wrought for the fulfilment of the promises he made to their fathers. And they were just; for their punishment was in consequence of their infidelities: and the punishment of the Babylonians was only in consequence of their gross iniquities; and in both respects he had proved his work to be according to justice and judgment.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The works of his hands; all that he doth, either on the behalf of his people, or against his or their enemies; of both which sorts of works he spoke in the foregoing verse.
Are verity and judgment; are exactly agreeable to his word or promises, and to the rules of justice. All his commandments; either,
1. His laws given to the Israelites, especially the moral law considered with its sanction, the promises made to the observers of it, and the threatenings denounced against transgressors. Or,
2. His works, as it is in the first clause, called his commands, because they were done by virtue of his decree, and by his power and authority; as in like manner God is said to command those blessings which he purposeth to give, and doth effectually procure, as Deu 28:8 Psa 42:8; 68:28; 133:3, and to command those creatures which he moveth and acteth as he pleaseth, as 1Ki 17:4; Mat 8:27.
Are sure, or faithful, or certain; constant and unchangeable, as his laws are, being grounded upon the immutable rules of justice or equity; infallible and irresistible, as his counsels and ways are.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
The works of his hands are verity and judgment,…. His works of providence are just and true, particularly these which respected the driving the Canaanites out of their land, and settling the Israelites in it; these were done according to the truth of the divine promises and prophecies, and so were “verity” or “truth”; and for the sins of the Heathen, and by him who has a right to dispose of the earth and the fulness of it to whom he pleases, and so are “judgment” or righteous; and this holds good of his work of grace upon the heart, which is the work of his hands, and is “truth in the inward parts”: and is created in righteousness and true holiness; and of all his acts of grace in election, redemption, c. which are according to the truth of the divine nature and its perfections, and in which there is no unrighteousness. Some interpret this of the two tables of stone, which were the work, writing, and engraving of God, and on which were inscribed the judgments of the Lord and are “true and righteous altogether”. Aben Ezra understands it of the law implanted in the hearts of men.
All his commandments are sure: firm, and to be believed and complied with, either to destroy the nations, or to possess their land; or rather the commands of the moral law, which are firm and sure, one jot or tittle of which shall never pass away; all have been fulfilled by Christ, and remain with him a rule of walk and conversation; or the word which the Lord has commanded to a thousand generations, Ps 105:8 the covenant which is ordered in all things and sure; the promises of which are yea and amen in Christ; and the blessings of it, the sure mercies of David; and even the doctrines of the Gospel are the commandments and testimony of the Lord, which are sure, Ps 19:8 and to be believed, being the word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation, and coming from God, who cannot lie.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7 The works of his hands In the first clause of the verse he exclaims that God is known to be faithful and upright in his works, and then he goes on to extol the same truth and rectitude as pervading the doctrine of the law; the amount of which is, that a beautiful harmony characterises all the sayings and doings of God, because every where he shows himself to be just and faithful. We have a memorable proof of this fact in the redemption of his ancient people. Yet I doubt not, that, under the term, works, the prophet comprehends the constant government of the Church; because God daily and unceasingly shows that he is just and true, and unweariedly pursues the same course. Among men it is reckoned to be of more importance for one to be found just in practice than in profession; yet, as the doctrine of the law was the very life and safety of the people, the prophet very properly, and in several expressions, dwells upon the sentiment contained in the second clause of the verse; saying, all his statutes are true, they are established for ever, and are drawn up in perfect accordance with the strict law of truth and equity And assuredly, but for God’s having kept the people united to him by the sacred chain of the law, the fruit of their redemption would have been very small, and even that benefit would have soon been lost by them. We ought to observe, then, that this subject is brought prominently forward in this place; because, in attesting the eternal love of God, it became the means of imparting life.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
7. Verity and judgment Truth and absolute administrative justice.
All his commandments are sure That is, they are true, established. The words “sure” and “verity” in the preceding line are from a common root, the one being affirmed of the “works” of God, the other of his “precepts.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 111:7 The works of his hands [are] verity and judgment; all his commandments [are] sure.
Ver. 7. The work of his hands ] They speak him a true and just God. Chrysostom taketh truth here for mercy, and noteth that God usually mixeth mercy with justice; yet sometimes he sendeth an evil, an only evil, Eze 7:5
All his commandments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 111:7-10
7The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.
Psa 111:7-10 This strophe affirms the trustworthiness of God and His revelation/promises. It foreshadows Psalms 119 and reflects Psalms 19.
Notice the ways God’s revelations are described.
1. truth and justice (cf. Psa 19:9)
2. sure (cf. Psa 19:7; Psa 93:5)
3. upheld forever and ever (cf. Psa 19:9)
4. performed in truth and uprightness
Notice the ways God Himself is described.
1. He sent redemption to His people
2. He ordained His covenant forever
3. He is holy and awesome
Notice the different words used to describe His revelations.
1. precepts – BDB 824 (cf. Psa 19:8)
2. commanded – BDB 845 (cf. Psa 19:8; using the noun, BDB 846)
3. fear – BDB 432 (cf. Psa 19:9)
See Special Topic: Terms Used For God’s Revelation .
Psa 111:7 His hands See Special Topic: God Described As Human (anthropomorphism).
truth This feminine noun (BDB 54) occurs in Psa 111:7-8. It is literally faithfulness. The same Hebrew root (BDB 54) forms the word sure (BDB 52, Niphal participle) in Psa 111:7 (cf. Psa 19:7). See Special Topic: Believe, Trust, Faith and Faithfulness in the OT.
Psa 111:8 forever and ever This Hebrew idiom of permanence is formed by
1. forever – BDB 723 I (cf. Psa 111:3; Psa 111:8; Psa 112:3; Psa 112:9)
2. and ever – BDB 761 (cf. Psa 111:9; Psa 19:9; see Special Topic: Forever [‘olam] )
Psa 111:9 redemption See Special Topic: Ransom/Redeem
holy Holy (BDB 872) and awesome (BDB 431) appear together in Psa 99:3. See SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY .
awesome This is the common Hebrew verb to fear (BDB 431, KB 432, Niphal participle). It is used
1. of YHWH Himself – Deu 7:21; Deu 10:17; Deu 10:21; Neh 1:5; Neh 4:14; Neh 9:32; Psa 47:2; Psa 68:35; Psa 76:7; Dan 9:4
2. of His acts – Psa 65:5; Psa 66:3; Psa 66:5; Psa 106:22; Psa 145:6
3. of the appropriate response of His people – Deu 4:10; Deu 5:5; Deu 6:2; Deu 6:13; Deu 6:24; Deu 10:12; Deu 10:20; Deu 13:11; Deu 14:23; Deu 17:13; Deu 17:19; Deu 19:20; Deu 21:21; Deu 25:18; Deu 28:58; Deu 31:12; Jos 4:24
4. of the Gentiles – Deu 28:10; Jos 4:24; Jos 9:24; Psa 67:7
Psa 111:10 a This is the first principle and the central theme of Proverbs (cf. Pro 1:7; Pro 9:10), also note online at Ecc 12:13.
Psa 111:10 b Notice that knowing God’s revelation demands obeying it/them! Biblical faith is not only a theological creed to be affirmed but a lifestyle (cf. Mat 7:13-27; Eph 2:8-10).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. What company is being addressed in Psa 111:1 c?
2. Does the Psalm tell us exactly which works of the Lord are being extolled?
3. How is Psa 111:4 b related to Exo 34:6-7?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
works. . . are. Some codices read “work . . . is” (singular)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 111:7-8
Psa 111:7-8
“The works of his hands are truth and justice;
And his precepts are sure.
They are established forever and ever;
They are done in truth and uprightness.”
“The reference in these two verses is the giving of the law at Sinai.
“Forever and ever” (Psa 111:8). This is a reference to all time until the Christ should come. And, in the truth that Christ’s righteousness consisted, among other things, in the absolute and perfect fulfilment of that Law given at Sinai; and, since the righteousness of Christ is the grounds of salvation for all men for all ages to come, there is a sense in which the words are strictly true as a reference to all time until the end of time.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 111:7. Verity means truthfulness and judgment means fairness; the works of God are according to both of these qualities. This not only applies to his actual dealings with the children of men, but also to the commandments regarding their conduct.
Psa 111:8. If anything is established it becomes mature, and the passing of the ages will not overthrow it. The works of God are established on truth and uprightness.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
works: Psa 85:10, Psa 89:14, Psa 98:3, Deu 32:4, 2Ti 2:13, Rev 15:3, Rev 15:4
all his: Psa 19:7, Psa 105:8, Psa 119:86, Psa 119:151, Psa 119:160
Reciprocal: Psa 119:152 – thy testimonies Isa 45:19 – speak righteousness 2Th 1:5 – righteous 1Ti 2:7 – verity
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 111:7-9. The works of his hands All that he doth, either on the behalf of his people, or against his or their enemies; are verity and judgment Are exactly agreeable to his word or promises, and to the rules of eternal justice. All his commandments His laws given to the Israelites, especially the moral law, considered with its sanctions, the promises made to the observers of it, and the threatenings denounced against transgressors; are sure Constant and unchangeable, as being grounded upon the immutable rules of justice and equity. They stand fast, Hebrew, , semuchim, they are established upon a sure foundation; and are done Constituted or ordered; in truth and uprightness With a sincere regard to the good and happiness of mankind, and without the least shadow of partiality or iniquity, and they will then appear in perfect glory and beauty, when all the arts and labours of man shall cease to exist. He sent redemption unto his people That deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type and pledge of that greater and higher redemption, which is by the Messiah. He hath commanded Appointed, or firmly established, by his power and authority; his covenant for ever Through all successive generations of his people, to the end of the world; for the covenant is the same for substance in all ages, and differed only in circumstances. Holy and reverend is his name Terrible to his enemies, venerable in his peoples eyes, and holy in all his dealings with all men.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
111:7 The {d} works of his hands [are] verity and judgment; all his commandments [are] sure.
(d) As God proposed to take care of his Church so in effect does he declare himself just and true in the government of the same.