Psalm 111:8 - Majestic Is His Work

They are upheld forever and ever
This phrase emphasizes the eternal nature of God's commandments and decrees. In biblical context, this reflects the unchanging character of God, as seen in Malachi 3:6, "For I the Lord do not change." The permanence of God's word is also echoed in Isaiah 40:8, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." This eternal aspect is a reassurance of the reliability and steadfastness of God's promises, which are not subject to the fluctuations of human history or culture. The phrase also connects to the New Testament, where Jesus affirms the enduring nature of God's word in Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

enacted in truth and uprightness
This part of the verse highlights the moral and ethical foundation of God's laws. "Truth" and "uprightness" suggest that God's decrees are not only eternal but also inherently just and righteous. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as a righteous judge, as seen in Psalm 9:8, "He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice." The terms "truth" and "uprightness" also reflect the character of Jesus Christ, who is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" in John 14:6. The enactment of God's laws in truth and uprightness serves as a model for believers to live by, encouraging them to pursue a life of integrity and righteousness, as seen in Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Persons / Places / Events

1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 111, traditionally attributed to King David, who is expressing praise and reverence for God's works and commandments.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the Psalmist is addressing, reminding them of God's enduring faithfulness and the reliability of His commandments.

3. God's Works
The events and actions of God, which are celebrated throughout the Psalm for their majesty and righteousness.

Teaching Points

Eternal Nature of God's Commandments
God's laws and decrees are not temporary or subject to change; they are established forever. This should give us confidence in their reliability and relevance for our lives today.

Truth and Uprightness
The foundation of God's commandments is truth and uprightness. As believers, we are called to align our lives with these principles, seeking to live in a way that reflects God's character.

Trust in God's Faithfulness
Just as God's commandments are upheld forever, so is His faithfulness to us. We can trust that His promises will never fail, providing a firm foundation for our faith.

Living by God's Standards
In a world where moral standards often shift, God's commandments provide a consistent guide for righteous living. We are encouraged to study and apply them diligently in our daily lives.

Reflecting God's Character
As we embrace God's eternal truths, we are called to reflect His character in our interactions with others, demonstrating integrity and righteousness.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 111Psalm 112:3 declares that the righteous will enjoy wealth and riches; how does this reconcile with devout individuals who remain poor and persecuted throughout history?Psalm 111:7-8 asserts God's commands stand forever--how do you reconcile this with biblical laws that seem contradictory or culturally obsolete today?Proverbs 17:5 suggests God is directly involved in consequences for mocking the poor. How do we reconcile this with observable reality where such mockery often seems unpunished?In Hebrews 4:8, how can the text claim that Joshua did not give true rest, given that the Old Testament states Israel did enter and occupy the Promised Land?

Verse 8. - They stand fast forever and ever. This is exegetical of the "sure" in ver. 7. In the sense in which they were given - the spiritual sense underlying them - not one jot or tittle of God's commandments ever passes away (Matthew 5:18). And are done in truth and uprightness; rather, being done. It is the intrinsic truth and equity of the commandments that render them ever lasting and unchangeable (see Cudworth on 'Immutable Morality'). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

They are upheld
סְמוּכִ֣ים (sə·mū·ḵîm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 5564: To prop, to lean upon, take hold of

forever
לָעַ֣ד (lā·‘aḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5703: A, terminus, duration, advance, perpetuity

and ever,
לְעוֹלָ֑ם (lə·‘ō·w·lām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

enacted
עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם (‘ă·śū·yim)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in truth
בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת (be·’ĕ·meṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

and uprightness.
וְיָשָֽׁר׃ (wə·yā·šār)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

Links

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Psalm 111:8 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 111:8 They are established forever and ever (Psalm Ps Psa.)