Psalm 111 6

Psalm 111:6 kjv

He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

Psalm 111:6 nkjv

He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.

Psalm 111:6 niv

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.

Psalm 111:6 esv

He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

Psalm 111:6 nlt

He has shown his great power to his people
by giving them the lands of other nations.

Psalm 111 verses

Psalm 111 6 Meaning

Psalm 111:6 declares that God has powerfully demonstrated His mighty deeds to His chosen people, Israel. This was evident primarily through His divine act of giving them the promised land, previously inhabited and possessed by other nations, as their secure and perpetual inheritance. It emphasizes His sovereignty, strength, and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises through active intervention in history.

Psalm 111 6 Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm of praise, celebrating the magnificent works of God. The psalm begins by vowing to praise the Lord with the whole heart in the assembly. It recounts God's glorious deeds, describing them as praiseworthy and eternal. The specific context for verse 6 lies within this broader celebration of God's historical acts, particularly those demonstrating His covenant faithfulness and power in relation to Israel. Historically, it points directly to the foundational narratives of the Exodus and the Conquest of Canaan, which formed the very identity and experience of ancient Israel. The "heritage of the nations" refers to the land of Canaan, previously occupied by peoples like the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites. God's act of dispossessing these nations and granting their land to Israel served as a monumental testament to His divine authority, His fulfillment of promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His judgment upon the inhabitants of the land who had filled their measure of iniquity (Gen 15:16). This was a clear polemic against the regional deities and human strength, declaring Yahweh as the sole sovereign and powerful God.

Psalm 111 6 Word analysis

• He: Refers to Yahweh, the Lord God of Israel. The subject of the entire psalm, whose character and deeds are praised.
• has shown: (Hebrew: הִגִּיד - higgiyd) From the root נגד (n-g-d), meaning "to tell," "declare," "make known." It implies not just a verbal declaration but an active demonstration through deeds that reveal God's attributes. God's "showing" is an undeniable historical reality.
• His people: Refers to Israel, the covenant nation chosen by God. This emphasizes the special relationship God established with them, to whom He directly revealed His power.
• the power: (Hebrew: גְּבֻרָה - gevurah) Strength, might, valor, especially military prowess or conquering power. It highlights God's immense capability and irresistibility in action. This term signifies active, formidable strength, often in the context of victory.
• of His works: (Hebrew: מַעֲשָׂיו - ma'asaw) His deeds, actions, accomplishments. These are not passive attributes but active, tangible interventions in history, such as the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the conquest of Canaan. They are the visible manifestations of His power.
• in giving them: This prepositional phrase indicates the means or method by which God "shown" His power and works. The act of "giving" is deliberate, authoritative, and rooted in His covenant.
• the heritage: (Hebrew: נַחֲלָה - nachalah) An inheritance, possession, especially an allotted territory or land. This term is deeply significant in Israel's history, representing the fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession. It signifies not merely a temporary acquisition but a divinely granted and perpetual inheritance.
• of the nations: (Hebrew: גּוֹיִם - goyim) Refers to the Gentile nations, specifically the peoples inhabiting Canaan. This highlights that the land was not empty but already possessed, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and justice in dispossessing the inhabitants and granting it to Israel. It demonstrates His dominion over all territories and peoples.
• "He has shown His people the power of His works": This phrase underlines God's intentional self-revelation to Israel through His powerful deeds, which served as foundational evidence of His identity, nature, and commitment to His covenant. It contrasts His active, effective power with the impotence of pagan idols.
• "in giving them the heritage of the nations": This explains the primary "work" or act being referenced: the divine conquest and distribution of Canaan. It's a statement of God's judicial authority over all peoples and lands, justly removing one people and establishing another as an act of divine distribution and promise-keeping.

Psalm 111 6 Bonus section

The concept of "heritage of the nations" also serves as a polemic against ancient Near Eastern myths that attributed land ownership to various territorial gods. Psalm 111:6 asserts Yahweh's unique universal sovereignty; He alone is the true proprietor of all lands and can distribute them as He sees fit, according to His righteous judgments and covenant promises. This understanding formed a crucial part of Israel's national identity, reminding them that their possession of the land was an unearned divine gift, constantly requiring a response of gratitude and obedience. Furthermore, the "works" described in Psalm 111 (including this giving of the heritage) are foundational to the fear of the Lord, as mentioned in verse 10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's mighty deeds and submitting to His absolute power and just rule. While specifically referring to the physical land inheritance of Israel, the theme of a promised inheritance also finds a greater spiritual fulfillment in the New Testament, where believers, through Christ, receive an "inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Pet 1:4).

Psalm 111 6 Commentary

Psalm 111:6 is a succinct yet profound declaration of God's character and covenant faithfulness, vividly expressed through a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The verse points to the Conquest of Canaan as the ultimate display of God's gevurah, His irresistible might. This was not a passive display, but an active, demonstrable act where God literally handed over the land that was once occupied by numerous nations to His chosen people, Israel, as their divinely appointed inheritance (nachalah). This act profoundly revealed several aspects of God: His omnipotence (nothing can thwart His will), His justice (in removing the corrupt nations), and His unfailing faithfulness to His promises made to the patriarchs centuries earlier. It cemented Israel's understanding that their existence and possessions were not due to their own strength or merit, but entirely a gift of God's mighty works. The implications extend beyond land; it signifies God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly domains and His purposeful engagement in human history to fulfill His redemptive plan.

Examples:

• This act demonstrated God's ability to clear a path and establish His people even in the face of insurmountable human obstacles, just as He clears spiritual paths for believers today.
• It highlights His commitment to fulfilling His word, no matter how long the wait, echoing how He brings His promises in Christ to completion.