Psalm 111 & 112: God’s Compassion
Verse of the Day: (111:4) He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
1. God’s Compassion (111:1-4)
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. (111:1)
God encouraged Israel to praise Him with their whole and upright hearts, and truly remember all His wonderful works that He had miraculously performed in their lives the likes of sending the 10 plagues to deliver them out of slavery from the Egyptians, and the momentous opening of the Red sea so that they could cross it dry to the wilderness and eventually to the Promised Land. (Exodus 7-14) Indeed, God is gracious and full of compassion to Israel and all who fully trust and obey Him. Since God commanded faithful Abraham to establish Israel, His chosen nation, so that they would shine their holy testimony, and point the whole world to their God, the God of Israel, as the true and living God, yet time and again, they kept disobeying and rebelling against Him. Nevertheless, God is loving and forgiving, and always waiting for them to repent their sins, and humbly return to Him. Indeed, God is gracious, full of compassion and faithfulness, and let us repent of our sins, and trust and fear Him. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
2. God’s Covenant (111:5-10)
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. (111:5)
God reminded Israel of His covenant that He shall richly bless and multiply them and all their generations in the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, if they would completely trust and fear Him. (Exodus 6) God reiterated to Israel that the fear of and obedience to Him and His commandments is the beginning of their wisdom, and His praise and blessings shall be upon them forever. Today, God has made a new covenant, not only with Israel, but the whole world, that those who truly believe in Jesus as their Saviour and Mediator, who died on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the world, shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Indeed, let us praise our God for His new covenant, and serve Him with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:18-29)
3. God’s Commandments (112:1-10)
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. (112:1)
God shall richly bless Israel and all who truly fear Him, and greatly delight to do His commandments. Indeed, let us delight in God, and do His commandments, and we shall have the greatest privilege to God’s tree of life and heavenly city. (Revelation 22:14-21)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your compassion and covenant for a sinner like me.
