Psalm 111 7

Psalm 111:7 kjv

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

Psalm 111:7 nkjv

The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure.

Psalm 111:7 niv

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

Psalm 111:7 esv

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

Psalm 111:7 nlt

All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.

Psalm 111 verses

Psalm 111 7 Meaning

Psalm 111:7 declares that God's actions and creative works are founded upon and embody absolute truth and righteous justice. Furthermore, all His commands and instructions given to humanity are perfectly reliable, stable, and unfailing, establishing a bedrock of trustworthiness for those who live by them. This verse affirms God's consistent and unwavering character as manifested in both His deeds and His directives.

Psalm 111 7 Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic hymn, structured so that each half-line of the Hebrew text begins with successive letters of the alphabet, forming a carefully constructed song of praise. The psalm primarily focuses on exalting the Lord for His magnificent works (verses 2-4), His faithful provision and enduring covenant (verses 5-6). Verse 7 specifically transitions to highlight the unwavering moral quality of these divine actions and, crucially, extends this attribute to His very words and instructions ("precepts"). It builds upon the idea that God’s actions are wonderful by stating that they are also inherently righteous and reliable. This hymn likely served a communal worship setting, reminding the congregation of God's character and His trustworthiness as the basis for their trust and obedience. Historically, in a world dominated by capricious and immoral pagan deities, this psalm sharply contrasts the consistent and righteous character of the God of Israel, YHWH.

Psalm 111 7 Word analysis

• The works (מַעֲשֵׂי, ma'asei): Refers to God's deeds, accomplishments, and creative activities, encompassing all He has made and done. This includes creation, providence, deliverance, and the establishment of His kingdom. It emphasizes His active involvement in the world.
• His hands (יָדָיו, yadaw): A anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics (hands) to God, signifying His power, activity, and executive capability. It speaks of the divine energy and intention behind His actions, emphasizing that these works are directly from Him and not by chance.
• are truth (אֱמֶת, emet): Signifies reliability, faithfulness, certainty, and consistency. God’s works are not deceptive or temporary; they are firmly grounded in reality and demonstrate His unchangeable character. His truth implies His fidelity to Himself and His promises.
• and justice (וּמִשְׁפָּט, u-mishpat): Refers to righteous judgment, equity, and moral order. God’s works perfectly reflect His righteous character; they are fair, morally upright, and align with what is right. It speaks to God as the ultimate standard of justice, establishing order and equity.
• all (כָּל, kol): An emphatic inclusion, meaning every single one without exception. It stresses the universal application of what follows.
• His precepts (פִּקּוּדָיו, piqqudaw): Refers to God's commandments, ordinances, and instructions. These are the specific directives that God gives for human conduct and moral living, distinct from His general "works" but intrinsically connected to His character.
• are trustworthy (נֶאֱמָנִים, ne'emanim): Meaning faithful, firm, sure, reliable, or enduring. This word carries the sense of permanence and immutability. It signifies that God's laws are stable and reliable, providing a firm foundation because they originate from His truthful and just character. They will never fail or lead astray.

Words-group Analysis:

• "The works of His hands are truth and justice": This phrase unifies God's active involvement ("works of His hands") with His core moral attributes ("truth and justice"). It asserts that every action God undertakes is consistently true to His nature and perfectly righteous. There is no contradiction or flaw in His deeds. This stands in sharp contrast to the fickle and often unjust actions ascribed to pagan deities in the ancient world.
• "all His precepts are trustworthy": This declares that God's communicated will, His specific instructions for life, are entirely reliable. Just as His actions are true and just, so are His words. They provide a sure and steady guide, deserving of absolute confidence. This trustworthiness stems directly from the integrity of the Giver.

Psalm 111 7 Bonus section

The harmony described in Psalm 111:7 – the perfect alignment between God's character (truth and justice), His actions (works), and His word (precepts) – is a central theme throughout the Bible. This unity provides an unshakable basis for trust in God. If God's works were capricious or His precepts unreliable, there would be no ground for true faith or consistent obedience. This verse highlights the inerrancy and authority of God's Word: it is trustworthy because it flows from a God who is Himself true and just in all He does. This also implicitly sets a standard for human living; followers of the Lord are called to imitate this divine consistency, demonstrating truth and justice in their deeds and adhering faithfully to His reliable precepts. The concluding verse of Psalm 111, which states that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," directly ties wisdom to understanding and living in light of the trustworthiness of God's works and precepts.

Psalm 111 7 Commentary

Psalm 111:7 provides a powerful statement about the immutable character of God, which is flawlessly reflected in both His deeds and His directives. His "works," encompassing creation, redemption, and providence, are not arbitrary displays of power but are executed in perfect "truth and justice." This means they are inherently right, consistent with His holy nature, and always uphold moral order. There is a profound coherence between God's being, His doing, and His speaking. The verse then extends this reliability to "all His precepts." These are His specific laws and commands given for human guidance. Because they originate from a God whose works are truth and justice, His precepts too are "trustworthy" — absolutely firm, reliable, and unfailing. This foundational trustworthiness ensures that obedience to His word is not in vain, but leads to the good life He intends. This truth undergirds faith: one can completely depend on God's actions and His commands because they perfectly embody His constant and righteous nature. For example, in moments of global upheaval or personal crisis, the Christian can trust God's plan (His works are just) and cling to His promises (His precepts are trustworthy).