Psalms 111:1

“Praise ye the Lord, etc.] Or “hallelujah”; this is the title of the psalm, and is expressive of the subject matter of it; and so it stands in the Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions; as it should, as appears from the psalm being alphabetical; for the first letter of this word is the fifth and not the first of the alphabet; it is wanting in the Syriac version, which gives the title in this manner, without a name, concerning the glorious virtues of “the works of God; but it exhorts us to give thanks to Christ; and it is said in the person of the apostles.” I will praise the Lord with my whole heart; the psalmist excites to praise God by his own example; the object…”

“God's majesty contrasted with His condescension and gracious dealings towards the humble furnish matter and a call for praise. The Jews, it is said, used this and Psalms 114-118 on their great festivals, and called them the Greater Hallel, or Hymn. (Psa 113:1-9) Earnestness and zeal are denoted by the emphatic repetitions. servants of the Lord--or, all the people of God. name of the Lord--perfections (Psa 5:11; Psa 111:9).”

“Praise ye the Lord - Margin, “Hallelujah.” See Psalms 106:1. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart - With undivided affections; holding back nothing. I will allow nothing to be in my heart that would interfere with the fullness of praise; no coldness or dividedness of affection; no love for other things that would deaden my love for God; no suspicion respecting him that would chill my ardor; no unbelief that would drag me down to earth, while the language of my lips ascended to God. See the notes at Psalms 86:12. In the assembly of the upright - With the righteous when they are gathered together for public worship. And in the congregation - See Psalms 22:22, Psalms 22:25; Psalms 66:13;…”

“Pss 111–117 The refrain Praise the Lord! (Hebrew haleluyah) characterizes this group of psalms. Ps 111 This wisdom psalm contains many references to the works of the Lord that reveal his character. God is righteous, gracious, compassionate, faithful, just, trustworthy, upright, holy, and awe-inspiring (111:3, 4, 7, 8, 9). God’s character gives hope in the covenant relationship (111:5). He rescued Israel from Egypt (111:9), gave them the land (111:6), and provides for his people (111:5). However, God demands that the beneficiaries of this relationship also be people of righteousness and integrity. 111:1-5 The godly praise God and delight themselves in his great works. His mighty acts reflect…”

“am 3468, bc 536 Praise ye the Lord: Heb. Hallelujah, Psa 106:1, Psa 106:48; As this is an alphabetical Psalm, every member of each verse beginning consecutively with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Hallelujah, which begins with the fifth, must be considered as the title. I will: Psa 9:1, Psa 103:1, Psa 138:1 assembly: Psa 22:25, Psa 35:18, Psa 40:9, Psa 40:10, Psa 89:5, Psa 89:7, Psa 107:32, Psa 108:3, Psa 109:30, Psa 149:1; Ch1 29:10-20; Ch2 6:3, Ch2 6:4, Ch2 20:26-28 Psalms 111:2”

“That which the poet purposes doing in Psa 111:1, he puts into execution from Psa 111:2 onwards. ועדה, according to Psa 64:7; Psa 118:14, is equivalent to ועדתם. According to Psa 111:10, הפציהם in Psa 111:2 apparently signifies those who find pleasure in them (the works of God); but חפצי = חפצי (like שׂמחי, Isa 24:7 = שׂמחי) is less natural than that it should be the construct form of the plural of חפץ, that occurs in three instances, and there was no need for saying that those who make the works of God the object of their research are such as interest themselves in them. We are led to the right meaning by לכל־חפצו in Kg1 9:11 in comparison with Isa 44:28; Isa 46:10, cf. Isa 53:10, where חפץ…”