God’s Character and Activity in One Verse (Psalm 109-112)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

What is your favorite Scripture verse?

While every Christian has a different answer, Psalm 111:9 is especially meaningful. Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, and acrostics can serve “to suggest that the meaning of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”^[1] This chapter is “a corporate psalm of praise to God for his faithfulness to his people and for the wondrous works he has done.

God’s glorious works are expressions of his character.”^[2] In verse 1, the psalmist says, “I will praise the Lord with all my heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” Why? Because as verse 2 says, “The Lord’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them.”

The primary basis for God’s good works is verse 9, which says, “He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring.” In this one verse, the psalmist encapsulates God's nature and work. His holiness inspires him to love others through the plan of redemption.

If we were to summarize the Bible in one word, we could say “redemption.” This is the major theme. As Sandra Richter says, “The Bible, in all its parts, is intended to communicate to humanity the realities of redemption.”[3] God's redemptive plan is based on his covenantal love. A love so great that he would send his son to die on a cross.

God’s holiness is the basis of this loving union. As Alain Emerson and Adam Cox write, “God’s holiness and love are not set against one another in the biblical story. Rather, God’s love is revealed as the essence of his holiness.”[4] This is what God has done. In the words of Willem VanGemeren, “The revelation of the Lord’s character and his fidelity to the covenant as demonstrated in his acts of redemption and his precepts brings out the royal character of God’s rule over his people.”^[5] As a result, humanity's natural response should be collective awe.