Great Are the Works of the Lord
Splendid and majestic is His work; His righteousness endures forever. Psalm 111:3 · Berean Standard Bible
God's work is breathtakingly beautiful and powerful, and here's what makes it different from human accomplishments: His righteousness doesn't fade or change—it's permanent.
You might contrast this with how human kingdoms crumble, how monuments decay, how even impressive human achievements eventually fail. But God's righteous character and actions endure. This would have meant everything to people facing uncertainty or oppression.
The psalmist, now emphasizing the permanence of God's character alongside His spectacular works.
This connects to God's covenant promises—they don't expire or get revoked. His righteousness is woven into the fabric of who He is, which is why His people can trust Him across generations.
God's works display majesty and splendor, and His righteous character remains eternally stable and unchanging.
The Hebrew הוד (hod) and הדר (hadar) denote both aesthetic magnificence and authoritative splendor—the kind of glory that commands attention in a throne room. The affirmation of eternal righteousness (צדקה עומדת לעד, tzedaqah omet le'ad) reassures an anxious post-exilic community that divine justice will ultimately vindicate the faithful despite present suffering.
The psalmist offering theological affirmation to a community needing reassurance about God's constancy.
This echoes Psalm 97's vision of cosmic kingship while grounding God's majesty in moral righteousness rather than mere power. It anticipates the New Testament's fuller revelation of God's צדקה (tzedaqah, often translated as 'righteousness' but better understood as God's covenant faithfulness) in Christ's redemptive work.
1Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3Splendid and majestic is His work; His righteousness endures forever.
4He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
Read all of Psalm 111 — An acrostic of praise — each line beginning with the next Hebrew letter. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
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