Holy & Awesome – Psalm 111

Psalm 111 is one of 9 songs in a unique and distinguished subset called “acrostic psalms”. These poems in their original language are structured in a alphabetic sequence. Each new stanza begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. A number of truths are illustrated by this literary device... God is a God of order. His truth is comprehensive (From A to Z, He is the Alpha and the Omega), His word is precisely dictated. There is symmetry and beauty in all His revelation. The form of writing itself proclaims: “Holy and awesome is His Name!” (v9). Ps 111 Emphasizes the praise-worthiness of the One True God known by virtue of the covenant access He has secured for His people. The glory of His revelation is evident in His magnificent works. The author alludes to the Exodus deliverance as a paradigm for beholding and proclaiming the glory of Yahweh. Ps 111 and 112 are paired in several ways including form and concept. Ps 111 &112 are both acrostic Psalms, they both open with a call to worship commanding: “Praise the Lord”. The glory of God revealed in Ps 111 is echoed by the effects of the glory of God upon the worshipper in Ps 112. May we behold the glory of Christ in His Word, and in beholding Him may we be transformed! (II Cor 3:18)