Psalm 111 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 111 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Verse 2Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Verse 3Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
Verse 4He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Verse 5He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
Verse 6He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
Verse 7The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
Verse 8They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
Verse 9He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
Verse 10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Devotion
I frequently use the “ACTS” method of praying – organizing my prayers around adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Praying those last three are pretty easy: ‘I’m sorry for …’ ‘Thank you for …’ ‘Please help …’ But I don’t always take the time for the first one, ‘God, you are …’ That’s unfortunate, because there’s a humbling gratitude that comes by remembering just what kind of God I’m talking to.
The psalmist knows how to adore – by naming all those things that make God God. Look at the list: God is righteous. Compassionate. Trustworthy. Unending. God has a long memory when it comes to the breadth of history, and a short one when it comes to sins. God provides for our most basic physical needs, reassures us of our worth, and gives us a way back to God’s presence. When we take the time to say these things out loud in adoration, it reminds us just how amazing God really is.
Prayer
With my whole heart and all that I am, I praise you, Lord. You are amazing, merciful, generous, patient, and … Amen.