Psalm 111 1

Psalm 111:1 kjv

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

Psalm 111:1 nkjv

Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

Psalm 111:1 niv

Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Psalm 111:1 esv

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Psalm 111:1 nlt

Praise the LORD!
I will thank the LORD with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.

Psalm 111 verses

Psalm 111 1 Meaning

Psalm 111:1 opens with a powerful, exclamatory command to praise God, followed by a personal commitment from the psalmist to wholeheartedly give thanks to the Lord. This act of profound gratitude is promised to take place both within the intimate fellowship of the righteous and amidst the broader public assembly of believers, emphasizing that true worship is both a deeply personal and a publicly communal experience. It sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which recounts the glorious and just works of the Lord.

Psalm 111 1 Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, where each successive line (or half-line) in the Hebrew text begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This intricate structure reflects divine order and comprehensive completeness in its theme of praising God. It begins a pairing with Psalm 112, with Psalm 111 detailing God's glorious works and righteous character, and Psalm 112 describing the blessings on the upright individual who fears the Lord. The psalm is likely a hymn of thanksgiving, intended for congregational worship in post-exilic Israel. Historically, it emphasizes God's mighty acts (creation, redemption from Egypt, covenant fidelity) as the primary reason for praise, contrasting the active and powerful God of Israel with the inert idols of surrounding cultures, making it a subtle polemic against idolatry by showcasing Yahweh's unparalleled works and trustworthiness.

Psalm 111 1 Word analysis

(ul)

• "Praise the Lord!" (Hebrew: הַלְלוּ יָהּ - Hal·le·lū Yāh)
  • הַלְלוּ (Hallelū): This is the imperative plural form of the verb "hillel," meaning to praise, boast, commend, or celebrate with enthusiasm. It signifies an energetic, outwardly expressed act of adoration, not a passive contemplation. It is an exhortation for multiple people to engage in fervent praise.
  • יָהּ (Yah): A shortened, poetic form of God's covenant name, YHWH (Yahweh). Its brevity suggests intimacy and solemnity, emphasizing God's personal nature and His presence with His people. The phrase "Hallelujah" itself is a universal call to worship and praise, denoting the supreme being of God.
• "I will give thanks" (Hebrew: אוֹדֶה - ʾōdeh)
  • From the root יָדָה (yadah), meaning to praise, confess, or give thanks. This often involved the extension or lifting of hands in ancient Israelite worship, signifying open acknowledgement and gratitude. Here, it is a personal vow ("I will"), transitioning from the general call to worship to the psalmist's individual commitment.
• "to the Lord" (Hebrew: לַיהוָה - la·YHWH)
  • This uses the full Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the sacred, covenant name of God, indicating His faithfulness, unchangeableness, and self-existent nature. It's the God who reveals Himself, acts in history, and makes covenant promises. The use of "Yah" and "YHWH" in quick succession in this verse emphasizes both God's familiar presence and His absolute sovereignty.
• "with all my heart" (Hebrew: בְּכָל-לִבִּֽי - bə·ḵol-lib·bî)
  • בְּכָל (bə·ḵol): Meaning "with all" or "in every."
  • לִבִּי (libbī): "My heart." In ancient Hebrew thought, the heart was not merely the seat of emotion, but the totality of a person's inner being—their intellect, will, affections, and conscience. To give thanks "with all my heart" implies unreserved, sincere, and undivided devotion; an inward commitment reflecting outward praise. It signifies that the praise flows from the very core of one's being, utterly devoid of hypocrisy or half-heartedness.
• "in the company of the upright" (Hebrew: בְּסוֹד יְשָׁרִים - bə·sōḏ yə·šā·rîm)
  • בְּסוֹד (bə·sōḏ): Literally "in the secret council," "intimate circle," or "company." It suggests a close, confidential, or chosen fellowship. This isn't just a casual gathering but a place of shared purpose and intimate communion.
  • יְשָׁרִים (yəšārîm): "The upright," "the righteous ones," "those who are straight." These are individuals whose lives are aligned with God's commands, walking in integrity and moral rectitude. The praise of God is fortified and given context within a community of those committed to His ways.
• "and in the assembly" (Hebrew: וְעֵדָה - wə·ʿê·ḏāh)
  • וְ (wə): "And," linking the two communal contexts.
  • עֵדָה (ʿēḏāh): Refers to the "congregation," "assembly," or "community." This term often denotes the wider, formal public gathering of Israel for worship or decision-making, such as at the Tabernacle or Temple. It's distinct from the more intimate "company" (sod), indicating that praise extends from inner fellowship to broad, public acknowledgment. The root implies "testimony" or "witness," suggesting that the assembly is where God's deeds are witnessed and proclaimed collectively.

(ul)

• "Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord": This phrase transitions from an opening, imperative exclamation—a general call to praise addressed to all—to a personal declaration of intent from the psalmist. It shows how the public call to worship inspires and finds its roots in individual commitment.
• "with all my heart in the company of the upright and in the assembly": This collective phrase highlights the dual dimensions of authentic worship. Praise originates from deep within one's being ("with all my heart") and is expressed both in a closer, more intimate community of shared faith ("company of the upright") and in the larger, formal public gathering of believers ("assembly"). This progression signifies the holistic and encompassing nature of devotion to God, covering all aspects of a believer's life and communal participation.

Psalm 111 1 Bonus section

(ul)

• The placement of this psalm immediately after Psalm 110 (a royal/Messianic psalm) is significant, suggesting that the great works of God worthy of praise include the coming of the King/Messiah.
• The "company of the upright" (sod yesharim) could also be understood as a council or fellowship where the profound truths and works of God are contemplated and discussed among the wise, reflecting a deeper, more informed form of communal praise.
• The Psalm acts as a "didactic hymn," not just proclaiming praise but teaching the 'why' and 'how' of praising God by elaborating on His wonderful works in subsequent verses.
• The progression from the imperative "Praise!" to the personal "I will" highlights a voluntary and committed response, showing that true worship is not forced but a heartfelt decision.

Psalm 111 1 Commentary

Psalm 111:1 establishes the foundation of genuine worship: it is divinely inspired and deeply personal, yet always finds its fullest expression within the community of faith. The opening "Hallelujah" is not a mere pleasantry but a command to vigorously celebrate Yahweh's name. The psalmist's personal vow, "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart," stresses the necessity of inward authenticity; praise must flow from the totality of one's being, reflecting sincere devotion and commitment. This inner fervor then overflows into outward communal expressions—first within the close-knit "company of the upright," signifying intimate fellowship, mutual encouragement, and shared understanding of God's ways. Immediately following, the praise extends to the wider, more formal "assembly" or congregation, underscoring that our worship of God is not to be confined to private piety or exclusive groups, but is meant to be a public declaration, a collective testimony, and a visible witness to His greatness among all who gather. Thus, the verse paints a holistic picture of worship that is passionate, complete, and both intimately shared and broadly proclaimed.