THE WORD AND THE WORKS OF THE LORD

This psalm presents a devout, calm contemplation of the creative power and providential government of God. In verses 1-3, the righteous are called upon to praise the Lord. His creative and providential work in the world, vv. 4-11, and in Israel, vv. 12-19, are then celebrated. The psalm concludes with the righteous expressing trust and prayer, vv. 20-22.

A call to rejoice opens the psalm. We cannot rejoice in ourselves, but we may rejoice in the Lord, Phil. 3. 1; 4. 4; Hab. 3. 18. Such an exercise is eminently befitting those who owe to Him all they are and all they hope for. They can sing unto the Lord “a new song”, v. 3; Psa. 96. 1; 98. 1; 149. 1; Isa. 42. 10; Rev. 5. 9. They can praise Him for the power of His words, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made”, vv. 6, 7; for the wonder of His works, vv. 7, 8; for the wisdom of His thoughts, v. 11. They can rejoice because He has His eye upon them, “he beholdeth”, v. 13; because He has His hand upon them, “He fashioneth”, v. 15; and because He has set His mind on them, “he considereth”, v. 15. There is also in verse 1 the clear recognition of purity as the condition of access to God. The “righteous”, whose lives conform to the divine will, alone are they who can shout aloud their joy in Jehovah. Praise fits and adorns the lips of the upright.

The immediate reasons for rejoicing and praise are given in verses 4, 5. The moral attributes of the Lord are emphasized in verse 4 and His principles of government in verse 5. His word is “upright”, morally perfect, uttered in sincerity, and with a full determination to redeem it; cf. Num. 22. 18, 19; Psa. 19. 8; 105. 42. The word of the Lord underlies His works. The “word” here means “word of promise” “work” is its performance or fulfilment. The acts which flow from His word are in “faithfulness”. Word and work include all the expressions of the will of Him who is always consistent with Himself, James 1. 17. There is no lie in God’s word, and no sham in His works. The perfect word and works have for source the deep heart of God who loves “righteousness and judgment”, and therefore speaks and acts in accordance with these. For the psalmist, there is but One omnipotent will at work everywhere, and that is a will whose law for itself is righteousness and truth.