Christian prayer
Psalm 111
Psalm 111 in its original text and with its meaning, praising God's works, faithfulness and wisdom.
- 10 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ אוֹדֶ֣ה יְ֭הוָה בְּכָל־לֵבָ֑ב בְּס֖וֹד יְשָׁרִ֣ים וְעֵדָֽה׃
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
- 2
גְּ֭דֹלִים מַעֲשֵׂ֣י יְהוָ֑ה דְּ֝רוּשִׁ֗ים לְכָל־חֶפְצֵיהֶֽם׃
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
- 3
הוֹד־וְהָדָ֥ר פָּֽעֳל֑וֹ וְ֝צִדְקָת֗וֹ עֹמֶ֥דֶת לָעַֽד׃
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
- 4
זֵ֣כֶר עָ֭שָׂה לְנִפְלְאֹתָ֑יו חַנּ֖וּן וְרַח֣וּם יְהוָֽה׃
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
- 5
טֶ֭רֶף נָתַ֣ן לִֽירֵאָ֑יו יִזְכֹּ֖ר לְעוֹלָ֣ם בְּרִיתֽוֹ׃
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
- 6
כֹּ֣חַ מַ֭עֲשָׂיו הִגִּ֣יד לְעַמּ֑וֹ לָתֵ֥ת לָ֝הֶ֗ם נַחֲלַ֥ת גּוֹיִֽם׃
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
- 7
מַעֲשֵׂ֣י יָ֭דָיו אֱמֶ֣ת וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט נֶ֝אֱמָנִ֗ים כָּל־פִּקּוּדָֽיו׃
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
- 8
סְמוּכִ֣ים לָעַ֣ד לְעוֹלָ֑ם עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת וְיָשָֽׁר׃
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
- 9
פְּד֤וּת ׀ שָׁ֘לַ֤ח לְעַמּ֗וֹ צִוָּֽה־לְעוֹלָ֥ם בְּרִית֑וֹ קָד֖וֹשׁ וְנוֹרָ֣א שְׁמֽוֹ׃
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
- 10
רֵ֘אשִׁ֤ית חָכְמָ֨ה ׀ יִרְאַ֬ת יְהוָ֗ה שֵׂ֣כֶל ט֭וֹב לְכָל־עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם תְּ֝הִלָּת֗וֹ עֹמֶ֥דֶת לָעַֽד׃
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 111 during worship or personal prayer to give thanks for God's works and faithfulness. It is also suitable for reflection on wisdom, reverence for God and the remembrance of God's covenant.
Where it comes from
Psalm 111 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible and belongs to the ancient Hebrew tradition of worship inherited by Christians. In Hebrew, it is an alphabetic acrostic, with successive phrases following the order of the Hebrew alphabet. Its author is not named.
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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 111
How many verses are in Psalm 111?
Psalm 111 has 10 verses.
What is Psalm 111 about?
It praises God's great works, provision, justice and faithfulness to the covenant. It closes by teaching that reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom.
How long does Psalm 111 take to recite?
It can be recited in under a minute, though a reflective reading may take longer.
Who wrote Psalm 111, and in what language?
Its author is not named in the biblical text. It was composed in Hebrew.
