1. What in the works of the earth and the heavens causes you to see God’s creative hand?

The psalmist has composed a brief song of praise for all the works of God. This psalm is known as one of the Hallelu-jah psalms because of it’s Hebrew title. Hallelu-jah in Hebrew means "praise the Lord." The arrangement of this psalm is a special form of Hebrew poetry known as an acrostic. Hebrew poetry did not rhyme, but what the author of this, and other psalms, has done is taken the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet and written one line that starts with each letter.

Every time an author wrote an acrostic psalm, he was trying to emphasize the completeness or perfection of his topic. As in Psalm 119 we are shown the completeness of God’s word, so here in Psalm 111 we are pointed to the perfection of God’s works. I don’t know if you have ever tried to write an acrostic before, but it is not easy. You are very restricted because of that first letter of each line. And yet here in this psalm we see a beautiful, flowing expression of God’s works – and many of the lines in the psalm only contain 3 words in the Hebrew! What a lovely way for the psalmist to express his praise for all the works of God.

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2. Which do you find more meaningful – worshipping God alone or in church with others?

As the psalmist ponders the works of God, he begins by praising the Lord and giving thanks with his whole heart. As he describes the company of the upright, in the congregation, we sense that he is joined by others worshipping God. Everywhere we look – the flowers, the birds, the mountains, and the vast expanse of the stars – are all praising God. Let us join the psalmist and give thanks to our God.

Scroggie comments, "The Psalmist resolves to praise the Lord, and no one can find a worthier occupation. He will praise with his whole heart, for half-hearted praise is no praise at all. And he will offer this praise both in private, ‘the assembly of the upright,’ and in public, ‘the congregation.’ "

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

3. What area of science or nature do you enjoy studying. Do you gain a greater appreciation for the Creator when studying God’s works?

What many people don’t realize is that some of the greatest philosophers and scientists from past centuries received the inspiration for their profound ideas from a reverence for God. Larry Vardiman wrote concerning Isaac Newton, "Isaac Newton is recognized today by almost all scientists to have been one of the greatest, if not the greatest, scientist who ever lived. ... Yet, it is not widely known that Newton was also a Christian and a Bible scholar. He studied the Bible diligently and wrote commentaries on portions of scripture, such as his monograph on the book of Daniel. He clearly believed that God is the Creator and sustainer of our universe. ... He studied the Bible diligently to understand God's revelation.... This revelation available in God's Word informed his worldview and approach to science."

Have you ever asked where we get our thirst for knowledge and the wonder of discovering something new? When my sons were in elementary school, they decided to start collecting butterflies. As we helped them, we were amazed at the variety of patterns, color, and size in the different butterflies’ wings. It seemed that God had taken a paint brush and palette to each one, creating a unique pattern for each kind of butterfly. The more we study God’s creation, the more we are in awe of the creative intellect behind it.

Comments from an Early Restoration Movement Leader

Alexander Campbell wrote in 1838, "One might as rationally seek to comprehend an effect without any knowledge of its cause, as to comprehend any part of the science of the universe without some knowledge of its Author. God and his works are the basis of all the science in the world. But as the universe is not without God, nor God without his universe, so no science, physical or ethical, can be thoroughly learned without the revealed knowledge of God. We study man in his works and in his word, and we contemplate our Creator through the medium of what he has done and said. The works of God are his first and most ancient revelation of himself.... But we need no more striking evidence of the intimate connection between science and the Bible than the well-established fact, that all the great masters of science were believers in the Bible and cherished the hopes which it inspires. Bacon, the founder of the inductive philosophy; Locke, the great mental and moral philosopher; and Newton, the interpreter and revealer of nature’s secrets, are known to the religious as well as to the scientific world as believers in the Bible and expounders of its doctrine, its precepts, types and promises. They are as eminent for their homage to the Bible as for their devotion to the studies of nature. Philosophy, with them, and Christianity were not at variance. They saw the immutable and inimitable traces and characters of one and the same Supreme Intelligence clearly and boldly written on every page of the volumes of Creation, Providence and Redemption. They were persuaded that the still small voice which whispers in every star and in every flower speaks aloud in the language of authority and of love in all the precepts and promises of the law and of the gospel. Such were the great founders of the reigning philosophy and sciences of the present day.

Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

4. What part of God’s creation causes you to see the divine majesty and honor?

When we examine the works of God in nature and in the universe, we are struck by the majesty and glory of the work. I read about a scientist who had to study different ice crystals under a microscope. He said you could not help but be overwhelmed by the variety and beauty of the crystals that could not even be seen by the naked eye.

Plumer comments, "The studies of good men in all ages and in all parts of the world have been diligently turned to the wonders of what God hath wrought."

He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5. Which of God’s works do you think might cause people to realize that there must have been a Creator? Where in the earth or the heavens do you especially see God’s signature?

God has placed wonderful works all around us. Everywhere we turn we see the Creator’s signature, in the snow drifts on the mountain tops, in the autumn leaves falling from the trees, in the birth of new plant and animal life. God has been gracious and merciful to us to partake of this visible expression of divine glory.

He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6. How does observing the works of God help us to trust that our needs will be met? With a whole universe to take care of, why does God still take time to care for us?

Not only are we surrounded by God’s creative beauty on every side, but God takes care of our everyday needs. This verse says that food is provided for us because God is ever mindful of the covenant. We have the promise that God would never leave us nor forsake us, but would take care of us.

We know from the writings of Theodoret and Augustine that the early church would quote this verse when they celebrated communion. It was their way to remind themselves that not only does God take care of our spiritual needs, but our physical needs as well.

He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7. How does God’s restoration of the nation of Israel help you to trust in God’s promises?

Think of the tiny nation of Israel. They have never been that large or that strong. For centuries they were trampled under by conquerors and persecuted in the countries where they lived. And yet God has given them a heritage, bringing them back to the home which was promised to their ancestor Abraham. The desert of Zion is blooming again. God’s people are taken care of.

But not only Israel, God has also promised to bless us. Help is given to us each day of our lives as we face trials, troubles, and temptations. Because of faithfulness toward us, God allows people to find favor with us, causing good things to come into our life from others. We cannot understand how this is all done except to understand that God is showing us the power of the works of creation.

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

8. Share about some part of nature that you used to think was ugly until you began studying about it.

Sometimes we think God created some ugly and worthless creatures. None of us think very highly of rats. They are disease-carrying, ugly pests. And yet when my youngest son decided to get a pet rat, we saw another side of this creature. We saw beauty that only the Creator could have seen. My son trained his rat so well that one Sunday on Bring-A-Friend Day, he was able to sneak the rat with him into church – unknown to his parents. The little animal spent the whole time crawling on my son’s shoulders. Even though that’s not what we had in mind for Bring-A-Friend, it did reveal to everyone the beauty of what most considered a disgusting, ugly creature.

Not only does God perform works throughout the universe, but everything God does is faithful and just. God doesn’t have a bad day and always gives us the very best. All of creation is beautiful. Notice the second part of this verse tells us that all God’s precepts are trustworthy. We can trust in what God has said.

Plumer remarks, "We have had no better students of nature or of history than those who have been students of providence and redemption. It is truly a bad sign for one to have no heart for diligently considering any of the works of God. It greatly commends this duty that a devout mind can never be at a loss for matter of praise. Above, beneath, within, and around us, in nature, providence and grace we behold unspeakable wonders."

They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9. How long are God’s precepts established? How does God’s faithfulness make you feel?

Everything God does is for eternity. If God promised to take care of you yesterday, you can know that you will be taken care of today. God’s promises are established forever. What have you been promised? Do you believe God’s word? Stand firm and know that the Creator will see you through to the end, and will be there for you every step of the way. God will set you on higher ground.

This verse tells us that God’s promises will be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. It is because of God’s faithfulness that we can have hope in the most difficult situation. We are not going to be abandoned. God will be there for us.

John Milton wrote

For wonderful indeed are all His works,

Pleasant to know and worthiest to be all

Had in remembrance always with delight.

He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.

10. How have you received God’s redemption? How long will God’s covenant with us last?

The most important work of God is that we have been sent redemption. We are redeemed from our transgressions and all the awful consequences of disobedience to God. God’s greatest work is the salvation of our soul. Do you desire wealth? Do you want a long life and good health? Do you wish to be surrounded by the love of family and friends? You have already received the greatest gift of all – the redemption of your soul. What is the rest in comparison to that?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

11. How does examining God’s works give us understanding and wisdom?

The reverence of God that we get as we examine the works of creation leads us to a new mental understanding. This is the beginning of wisdom. As we are overwhelmed by the majesty of God and the creation, we desire to make a practice of living for the Creator. We don’t just want to serve God half-heartedly. We want to enter into the divine presence. We want to be a part of God’s love and kindness. We want to be united with the Eternal.

Plumer writes, "There is such a thing as true religion. It is attainable. It is heavenly wisdom. It is not of an unintelligible nature. It consists in loving, fearing and obeying God. He, who now submits his heart to the teachings and guidance of divine grace, may be poor, or sick, or feeble-minded, or uneducated, or cast off by the world; but he is safe and God will be his portion forever."

As we gain a better understanding of the works in earth and the heavens, we gain a better understanding of God. As we draw closer to God, we will find ourselves joining the psalmist in saying, "His praise endures forever."