1 Praise yee the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart: in the assembly of the vpright, and in the Congregation.
2 The workes of the Lord are great: sought out of all them that haue pleasure therein.
3 His worke is honourable and glorious: and his righteousnesse endureth for euer.
4 Hee hath made his wonderfull works to be remembred: the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion.
5 He hath giuen meate vnto them that feare him: he will euer be mindfull of his couenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his workes: that he may giue them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are veritie and iudgment: all his commandements are sure.
8 They stand fast for euer and euer: and are done in trueth and vprightnes.
9 He sent redemption vnto his people, hee hath commanded his couenant for euer: holy and reuerend is his Name.
10 The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome, a good vnderstanding haue all they that doe his commandements: his praise endureth for euer.
The Lord is to be praised for his works.
- The psalmist resolves to praise God himself. Our exhortations and our examples should agree together. He recommends the works of the Lord, as the proper subject, when we are praising him; and the dealings of his providence toward the world, the church, and particular persons. All the works of the Lord are spoken of as one, it is his work; so admirably do all the dispensations of his providence centre in one design. The works of God, humbly and diligently sought into, shall all be found just and holy. God's pardoning sin is the most wonderful of all his works, and ought to be remembered to his glory. He will ever be mindful of his covenant; he has ever been so, and he ever will be so. His works of providence were done according to the truth of the Divine promises and prophecies, and so were verity, or truth; and by him who has a right to dispose of the earth as he pleases, and so are judgment, or righteous: and this holds good of the work of grace upon the heart of man, ver. #7,8|. All God's commandments are sure; all have been fulfilled by Christ, and remain with him for a rule of walk and conversation to us. He sent redemption unto his people, out of Egypt at first, and often afterwards; and these were typical of the great redemption, which in the fulness of time was to be wrought out by the Lord Jesus. Here his everlasting righteousness shines forth in union with his boundless mercy. No man is wise who does not fear the Lord; no man acts wisely except as influenced by that fear. This fear will lead to repentance, to faith in Christ, to watchfulness and obedience. Such persons are of a good understanding, however poor, unlearned, or despised.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.