The Resume of God – Psalm 111

A text – Psalm 111

¹ Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
² Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
³ Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
⁴ He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
⁵ He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
⁶ He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
⁷ The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
⁸ They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
⁹ He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

A reflection:

One Old Testament professor I know of writes about this psalm: if you were introducing the speaker at a conference or dinner, and that speaker were God, this would be the list of accomplishments and character traits you would use for your introduction. God’s resume.

In a way, many of the psalms give God’s resume. They list and re-list who God is and what God always does, so that when we encounter God’s works or want to come close to God in prayer, we remember who we are appreciating or addressing.

Which of the attributes of God in this psalm do you like best? Being full of honor and majesty? Providing food? Being mindful of promises made? Being powerful? Being just and trustworthy? Redeeming his people? Commanding his covenant? Being gracious and merciful? You might like some and not others, but we get them all with this God of ours. Our God is a loving parent as well as a mighty Creator, Redeemer, Defender. The psalm says that the fear and respect of the Lord is the first step of wisdom; it is the beginning of a right relationship with God, and an understanding of how to embody the character of our amazingly powerful and caring God in the world.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us this psalm of praise for the Lord. Help us always to know how majestic and powerful, and also how intimately connected with us God is and wants to be. Help us to remember always to fear, respect, and love God every day. Amen.