GREAT ARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD

Psalm 111:1–10

Key Verse: 2 “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”

For this year’s Thanksgiving season, we will be meditating on Psalm 111 together. As far as I remember, I have never studied Psalm 111 before. It was M. Peter Kim who told me to prepare a message based on this passage, so this is my first time reflecting deeply on it. The author of Psalm 111 is not clearly known, and the time it was written is also uncertain. Most modern scholars view Psalm 111 as a “post-exilic” psalm, meaning it was written after the exile. However, there are a few who try to connect it with worship practices either shortly after the Exodus or during the pre-exilic period. Psalm 111 is closely connected to Psalm 112, both in terms of literary style and theological theme. While Psalm 111 focuses on the question, “Who is God?”, Psalm 112 speaks about what kind of life a person will live when they believe in and fear that God. Also, both psalms are written in an acrostic style, where each line or section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters, and although Psalm 111 only has 10 verses, in the original Hebrew each verse is divided into two parts, making up 22 sections in total. This alphabetical structure made it very effective for memorization and teaching, so that the congregation could repeatedly recite and meditate on it. Moreover, using the full Hebrew alphabet is understood to symbolize that “God’s works are complete and perfect.” For this reason, both psalms are often seen as hymns written for corporate worship. So, as you study Psalm 111, it will be very helpful to meditate on Psalm 112 as well.

Now, Iet us meditate on Psalm 111 together. Let’s read verse 1 together: “Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.” “Praise the Lord!” — in Hebrew, this is Hallelu-Yah. This is not just a simple phrase, but a declaration that begins worship and a call to praise directed to the whole community. Our lives exist to praise God. We are called to worship and praise Him in every moment of our lives. Last Friday, at Bible Academy, Brother Luke shared Romans 12:1 with us: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” We must offer our lives as a life of worship and praise to God. This is the purpose of our existence, and it is the right response to the grace of God who has saved us. Whatever we do—whether we eat or drink—every action in our lives should become an act of worship offered to God. That’s why, even before we eat, we should proclaim: Praise the Lord! Before we drive: Praise the Lord! When we go to school: Praise the Lord! Before we start our work: Praise the Lord! Let’s try practicing it together now.

The psalmist continues, “I will extol the Lord with all my heart.” Most other Bible translations render this as: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.” The psalmist is not simply saying “thank you” with lip service. He is giving thanks with all his heart. This shows that his heart is overflowing with gratitude. And because of this overflowing joy, he wants to share it with the community he belongs to. It’s like when you shake a soda bottle and then open the cap—the fizz comes bursting out. In the same way, joy is bursting out from the psalmist’s heart. So let me ask you: Is your heart overflowing with that kind of joy right now? Or is it filled with worries and anxiety? Is it overflowing with complaints and frustration instead? Honestly, when we think about the reality we’re living in, it’s easy to be worried and anxious. We feel the pressure when prices go up, and our bank accounts keep shrinking. We worry when things don’t go well at work or when problems arise with our children. If you’re struggling to find a job or can’t get into the school you hoped for, fear about the future can creep in. Right now, our church is facing a hard situation. Suddenly, problems came up with our apartment building, and that led to many unexpected issues. Because of this, one of our precious co-workers—someone who has served with us for years—had to move away. Some families now have to find new homes and prepare to relocate. As a church, we’re facing a difficult decision: Should we keep the rooms in the apartment building, or should we hold on to this worship space we’re in now? In moments like these, it’s easy for our hearts to start blaming someone. And yes—when we look at all the problems right in front of our eyes, it’s hard to give thanks. But then how can we, like the psalmist, have hearts that overflow with gratitude?

Let us now read verse 2 together: “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.” The psalmist is giving thanks because of the works the Lord has done. When he pondered the great works of God, his heart was filled with gratitude. Psalm 111 goes on to list the great works of God. In the same way, when we reflect on what God has done, thanksgiving can naturally flow from our hearts. The reason we often struggle to give thanks is because of the difficult problems that are right in front of us. These problems seem so big, as if they could collapse our whole lives at any moment. That’s why we feel anxious and worried. But when we think about what God has done, we can begin to break free from those worries and start giving thanks. Why? Because God is the one who works all things together for good. Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” When we believe that the problems in front of us are actually part of the loving plan of God, we can give thanks in any situation. That is why 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In truth, people are so forgetful. Even after experiencing great works of God, we easily forget them. And because of a small problem right in front of us, we quickly begin to complain. Exodus 15:1–21 records the Song of Moses and Miriam, sung by the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. Through the ten plagues and the Red Sea miracle, the Israelites had experienced God’s amazing power and His deep love for them. Their hearts were overflowing with thanksgiving and praise. But starting from Exodus 15:22, the atmosphere suddenly changes. Only three days after crossing the Red Sea, they complained against Moses because the water they found was bitter. Just three days after witnessing the incredible event of the Exodus, they doubted and complained against God because of a small problem. This is why the Bible repeatedly commands us to remember what God has done: do not forget (Deut. 6:12; 8:11), remember (Deut. 8:2; 8:18; Ps. 77:11), consider / meditate on (Ps. 77:12), tell your children (Josh. 4:6–7). When we remember and meditate on the great works of God and how God solved our past problems, we can have the right perspective on the problems before us. Even though the problems in front of us may feel heavy right now, we can endure with gratitude because we trust that God will work all things together for good.

What are some of the great works that God has done? Let us read verse 3: “Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.” First, the psalmist praises God’s wondrous creation. God’s creation itself is a declaration of His glorious and majestic power and wisdom. The endless stretch of the universe and the order within the galaxies reveal a greatness far beyond human understanding. Natural wonders—like the Grand Canyon, high mountains, deep oceans, and the aurora—allow us to experience the majesty of God. Also, the incredible information contained within DNA, the heart that beats on its own, the complex neural network of the brain, and the process of life being formed all show that life is not an accident but the result of precise design. In addition, the balance of ecosystems—such as bees, the water cycle, and the food chain—reveals the delicate and unseen hands of God. Even in everyday natural events like rain, sunlight, and rainbows, we see God’s love and His promises. All of creation that God has made is a living message that calls us to remember Him and to fear Him.

Also, the righteousness of God endures forever. God’s character does not change based on momentary emotions or shifting situations. His righteousness is always the same and will surely be fulfilled. Throughout history, God has revealed His righteousness by dealing with evil and by keeping His promises. For example, in the time of Noah, when the sin of mankind filled the earth, God judged the wicked through the flood while saving the righteous family of Noah. Likewise, when Pharaoh stubbornly hardened his heart and oppressed the Israelites with great cruelty, God judged Pharaoh and broke the power of Egypt through the ten plagues. He even opened the Red Sea and punished them completely. Through these events, we can clearly see that God’s righteousness endures forever—He never ignores evil, and He faithfully protects those who trust in Him. In this way, God was righteous in the past, He is righteous now, and He will remain righteous in the future. His righteousness never disappears, never changes, and continues forever.

Let us read verses 4–6: “4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.” These verses are a poetic summary of how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through His wondrous works, how He provided for them in the wilderness, and how He finally gave them the promised land, showing them His great power. First, God is the One who causes His wonders to be remembered. In the Bible, God did not simply say, “Remember My great works.” He commanded His people to practice remembrance through specific, concrete methods. To commemorate the Exodus, God established the Passover and the annual festivals (Exodus 12; Leviticus 23). After the crossing of the Jordan River, He instructed them to set up memorial stones (Joshua 4:6–7). He also commanded parents to teach their children repeatedly in daily life (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). God told His people to write down His words and read them aloud (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 31:10–13). And through psalms and songs, He led them to repeatedly sing and remember the works He had done (Psalms 78, 105, 111). In all these ways, God provided structured “means of remembrance” so that His great works would be remembered from generation to generation. God also uses training to help His people remember their failures and avoid falling into sin again. Before entering Canaan, twelve spies explored the land for forty days. But after hearing the unbelieving report of the ten spies, the people rebelled. Then God counted each day as one year and trained Israel by making them wander in the wilderness for forty years. Through this, God shaped them into a generation of faith.

Through these events, God also showed that He is gracious and compassionate. God fed more than two million people every day in a wilderness where there was no food—sending manna and quail for forty years. He also kept their clothes from wearing out and preserved their shoes so that they never wore out during those forty years in the wilderness. Through this, God allowed the Israelites to experience firsthand that if they simply believed and obeyed His word, He Himself would feed them and clothe them. He impressed on their hearts that humans do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God—that we are spiritual beings who live by God’s word. Moreover, God remained faithful to the covenant He had given to Abraham. By leading Israel in victory over the nations in Canaan, He fulfilled His promise and gave them the land. Through these events, God clearly revealed to His people the power of His works and the faithfulness of His righteousness.

Let us read verses 7–8: “7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. 8 They are established forever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.” Here the psalmist describes the qualities of God’s works—especially the character of God revealed through His Word. When we look at Exodus and the wilderness journey, we see that the Israelites often wavered. They complained, doubted, and repeatedly fell into sin. But God never wavered, and He never changed His standards. He consistently acted as the One who is faithful and just. The values of the world are constantly changing, and human judgment is easily shaken. But God’s character never changes. His judgments are always fair and righteous. Because of this, God’s Word is not merely “advice.” It is a trustworthy standard—something we can rely on completely and build our lives upon. God’s Word is absolute truth, grounded in His faithfulness and justice. As verse 8 says, “they are established forever and ever.” This means that God’s Word is not something that applies only for a short time, but a timeless standard that applies to every age, every situation, and every person. God’s Word is an unshakable rock and the only foundation on which we can build our lives (Matt. 7:24–25).

The foundation of the biblical counseling I have studied is the sufficiency of the Bible. This means that God’s Word provides answers for every area of our lives. Many people try to solve their problems by following the methods the world offers. They read countless psychology books or rely on medication to fix their issues. However, most of these solutions only focus on improving feelings or making the situation a little better. They often do not deal with the root of the problem. But the Word of God has the power to make us into new creations. God’s Word is perfect, and it has the ability to address every problem in every area of our lives. How thankful we should be that such a Word has been given to us.

Personally, I am truly thankful because I have been able to find answers in God’s Word for the challenges I face while raising children and living married life. When people ask me, “How can you raise six children?” I can answer with confidence: “Just raise them according to the Word of God.” We have nothing to worry about, because we always have the perfect answer with us. Praise be to God, who has given us His complete and sufficient Word.

Let us read verse 9: “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name.” God proved that He is the faithful One who keeps His promises to the end. He rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, and He restored them again from the Babylonian exile as he promised. But these were not just temporary historical events. They were signs pointing to a greater and eternal plan of redemption— God’s plan to save all humanity from the power of sin and death. The cross of Jesus Christ is the true Exodus, freeing us from the bondage of sin. It is the true return, restoring our broken relationship with God. By shedding His blood, Jesus established the new covenant and took upon Himself all judgment. In this way, He fully accomplished what verse 9 declares—that God “provided redemption for His people and ordained His covenant forever.” Now, when we believe in Jesus, we have been set free from the power of sin and death. God has given us the Holy Spirit, and through Him we have more than enough strength to overcome the power of sin and give our bodies as living sacrifice to God. Above all, when Jesus returns, He will completely destroy sin and Satan and will give us the new body, the new heaven and the new earth. We praise God who has given us this living hope.

Let us read verse 10 together: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Earlier in the psalm, the writer praised the great works God has done and reflected on the majesty and faithfulness of His deeds. Now, in the conclusion of the psalm, he tells us what kind of attitude human beings must have before this great God. It is “the fear of the Lord.” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This single sentence is not only the conclusion of Psalm 111 but also the core theme that opens all of biblical wisdom literature. In Hebrew, the word fear (יִרְאַת יְהוָה) does not mean simple fear or terror. It means recognizing God as God and humbly lowering ourselves before Him. Knowledge is information, but wisdom is knowing how to live rightly before God. Wisdom does not come from effort alone. It begins with a heart that fears the Lord—a heart that takes God seriously and honors Him. That is why Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” And Proverbs 9:10 speaks almost the same words: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The psalmist also says that wisdom does not remain only in our thoughts—it must show up in our lives. “All who follow his precepts have good understanding.” True wisdom leads to choices, and it shows itself through obedience. A heart that fears the Lord naturally leads to actions that follow His Word, and through this obedience we begin to understand and walk in the right path. This is where Psalm 112 connects naturally with Psalm 111. Psalm 111 shows us who God is, and Psalm 112 shows us how a person who fears that God will live. So, Psalm 111 tells us this: When we deeply meditate on the great works of God, a heart of reverence rises within us. From that reverence, true wisdom begins, and that wisdom bears fruit through a life of obedience.

And finally, the psalmist finishes the song with this phase, “To him belongs eternal praise.” Wisdom is completed in worship and praise. A life that fears God and follows His Word is a life that gives eternal praise to Him. This is the path of a wise life lived before God.  When we remember God’s works and hold firmly to His unchanging Word, He reshapes our hearts. Fear and anxiety lose their power. Complaints turn into gratitude. Doubt gives way to trust. And instead of being shaken by the world’s changing values, our hearts become steady, strengthened by the truth of who God is. Then God fills us with joy and praise—not a joy based on circumstances, but a joy rooted in His faithfulness and goodness.

In conclusion, Psalm 111 teaches how our lives can be transformed into a life of thanksgiving. When we meditate on the great works of God, a natural reverence for Him rises in our hearts. And that reverence becomes the starting point of a thanksgiving. This is the wisdom of life. A wise person remembers and meditates on who God is. And that meditation leads to a life of obedience, a life of faith, and a life of worship. This is the reason Thanksgiving has been given to us. It is not simply a day to say, “This past year went well.” It is a time for our souls to be renewed as we remember and meditate on the great works of God. Thankfulness is not just a feeling—it is a declaration of faith. Reality may still be difficult, and problems may still stand before us, but when we look to God, who is greater than any reality, we can stand firm without being shaken. I pray that during this Thanksgiving week, we may meditate on the great and marvelous works God has done for us, and that it may become a time of true gratitude and praise to Him.