Psalms Reading – 4.14.2022
Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
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.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 112
1 Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.
10 The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Both psalms call us to praise the Lord. Psalm 111 details who and what God has done. His works are great, His deeds are glorious, His righteousness lasts eternally. He is gracious and compassionate. He provides food. He remembers the covenant He has made. His works are faithful and just. His instructions can be trusted. He provides redemption. His name is holy and awesome. Our wise response to such a glorious God is a holy reverence for the Lord and His word.
Psalm 112 starts where Psalm 111 ends with the blessing of those who fear the Lord and delight in His instructions. Such blessing will be found among their children. Wealth is found among them, and their righteousness endures forever. In the midst of darkness, their light of grace, compassion, and right living shine forth. Those who have wealth will be good stewards through generosity, free lending, sharing with the poor, and doing justice. They do not fear bad news because they keep trusting in the Lord. Their righteousness lasts forever. Many of the exact same qualities used to describe the Lord in Psalm 111 are found here to describe those who fear the Lord.
Through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit within us, a disciple-maker will become the very reflection of God’s light shining out to others.
Memory Verse: Psalm 115:1, Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Question(s) to Consider: How does your life reflect Jesus more today than it did a year ago?