Psalm 111 9

Psalm 111:9 kjv

He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

Psalm 111:9 nkjv

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.

Psalm 111:9 niv

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever? holy and awesome is his name.

Psalm 111:9 esv

He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!

Psalm 111:9 nlt

He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

Psalm 111 verses

Psalm 111 9 Meaning

This verse proclaims God's powerful acts of deliverance for His people, His unwavering commitment to His divine promises through the covenant, and the ultimate recognition of His character as utterly separate, perfect, and worthy of profound reverence and awe. It links God's redemptive work directly to His eternal covenant and His transcendent nature.

Psalm 111 9 Context

Psalm 111 is an acrostic "Hallelujah Psalm," praising the Lord for His magnificent works. The entire chapter serves as a testament to God's righteous and enduring character, moving from His creation and provision (vv. 2-6) to His moral attributes and covenant faithfulness (vv. 7-10). Verse 9 acts as a climactic summary, weaving together the themes of God's active deliverance, His steadfast commitment to His people through His eternal covenant, and the profound reverence due to His very being. Historically, it likely served to remind post-exilic Israel of God's faithfulness despite their challenges, providing hope through the continuity of His redemptive plan established in His ancient covenants, setting Him apart from any transient pagan deities whose promises were hollow.

Psalm 111 9 Word analysis

• He: Refers to YHWH, the LORD, the covenant God of Israel, the central figure throughout the psalm whose magnificent works are the subject of praise. His divine agency is highlighted as the sole source of these great deeds.

• sent: Hebrew shalach (שָׁלַח), implying a deliberate, purposeful dispatching. This is not a passive event but an active, sovereign act of God, akin to commissioning an agent or releasing something into the world with a specific intent.

• redemption: Hebrew peduth (פְּדוּת), signifying liberation, ransom, or deliverance from bondage, danger, or obligation. It evokes the powerful historical event of the Exodus from Egypt, the paradigmatic act of God's redemption for His people, which cost God's intervention.

• unto his people: Specifically identifies the beneficiaries of God's redemptive act as Israel, those with whom God entered into a unique, familial relationship through covenant, establishing them as His own treasured possession.

• he hath commanded: Hebrew tsavah (צָוָה), meaning to ordain, decree, appoint, or establish firmly. It conveys divine authority and immutability, emphasizing that God's covenant is not a suggestion or a fleeting promise but a fixed, unalterable divine decree.

• his covenant: Hebrew berith (בְּרִית), a solemn, binding agreement or treaty. In the biblical context, it refers primarily to God's gracious initiatives with humanity, particularly Abraham, Moses, and David, which are characterized by divine promises and expectations, forming the basis of His relationship with His people.

• for ever: Hebrew le'olam (לְעוֹלָם), denoting perpetuity, eternity, and unending duration. This emphasizes the everlasting, unwavering nature of God's covenant, highlighting His faithfulness and reliability across generations and ages.

• holy: Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ), meaning set apart, sacred, distinct, pure, and morally perfect. It describes God's absolute transcendence and His utter separation from all creation, evil, and impurity, serving as the foundation of His righteous character.

• and reverend: Hebrew norah (נוֹרָא), conveying awe-inspiring, dreadful, terrible in a majestic sense, or inspiring profound reverence and respectful fear. It points to God's inherent majesty, power, and glory, which naturally elicit worship, humility, and solemn regard.

• is his name: The "name" of God (like YHWH or Elohim) represents His revealed character, attributes, reputation, and entire being. To say His name is holy and reverend means His very nature and essence are entirely set apart and worthy of supreme awe and worship.

• "He sent redemption unto his people": This phrase highlights God's proactive intervention in history for the deliverance of His chosen people, specifically recalling the miraculous Exodus from Egyptian bondage and setting a precedent for all subsequent divine deliverances.

• "he hath commanded his covenant for ever": This statement emphasizes the divine origin, unchangeable nature, and eternal validity of God's covenant promises, assuring His people of His consistent faithfulness across all generations and circumstances.

• "holy and reverend is his name": This climactic declaration sums up God's inherent character, portraying Him as utterly distinct, pure, morally perfect (holy), and possessing an overwhelming majesty and power that evokes deep awe and worship (reverend), all encapsulated in His revealed essence (His name).

Psalm 111 9 Bonus section

The use of peduth (redemption) in this context, especially recalling the Exodus, prefigures the ultimate cost of redemption through the blood of Christ in the New Testament, linking physical liberation to spiritual atonement. The progression in Psalm 111 from God's "works" in earlier verses (111:2) to His "name" in verse 9 demonstrates a journey of understanding: first, we observe what God does, and through that, we come to grasp and revere who He is. This reverence (norah) goes beyond mere respect; it conveys a sense of holy dread, not fear of punishment, but a deep awareness of infinite majesty and power that both attracts and humbles the beholder. This profound awe is foundational, as Psalm 111:10 immediately follows, stating that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," highlighting the spiritual significance of recognizing God's holy and reverend nature.

Psalm 111 9 Commentary

Psalm 111:9 encapsulates the essence of God's redemptive character and His covenant faithfulness, culminating in the profound reverence due to Him. It portrays a God who actively intervenes to liberate His chosen people, establishing and upholding His promises not for a fleeting moment, but for ever. This perpetual commitment through the covenant ensures His consistent care and righteous dealings. The verse's climax, "holy and reverend is his name," grounds these acts in God's intrinsic nature. His holiness signifies His perfect purity and distinction from all creation, while "reverend" (awesome) speaks to His majestic power and glory that inspires a humbling, respectful fear. Thus, God's past and future redemptive acts, bound by His eternal covenant, flow from His unchanging, transcendent nature, compelling His people to adore and hallow His glorious name above all.

• Example: God's rescue from a difficult situation demonstrates His redemption, mirroring His past deliverance of Israel from slavery.
• Example: The New Covenant in Christ, established by God's decree, assures eternal salvation to all who believe, fulfilling His promise "for ever."
• Example: Reflecting on creation or miraculous intervention fills a believer with awe, underscoring the "reverend" nature of God's name.