“Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them” (Psalm 111:2).

Psalm 111

L isten to the amazing words used in this picturesque psalm:  “all,” “great,” “splendid,” “majestic,” “wonders,” “gracious,” “compassionate,” “fear,” “power,” “truth,” “justice,” “sure,” “uprightness,” “redemption,” “covenant,” “holy,” “awesome,” “wisdom,” “praise,” “forever” … “DELIGHT!”

Key words in biblical study are words that are central and strategic to understanding the passage. Exclamatory words are generally adjectives that express a sudden cry of emotion, as in crying out or shouting out or expressing incredible joy or exhilaration.

Psalm 111 is filled with so many wondrous keywords of exclamation that jump from the lines of the song like fireworks colorfully and festively exploding into the sky on a star-studded Fourth of July night!

What makes the psalmist’s words and meditations so remarkably different from ours today?

• Is it the psalmist’s view of God?
• Is it his focus on God?
• Is it his consistent walk with God?
• Is it his intimacy with God?
• Is it all the above?

Welcome to the world of “delight.” If you could slip your heart into a personality stocking that shaped the attitude of your heart and how you viewed every thought that came before your mind, what kind of stocking would you choose? Gloom? Sorrow? Anger? Criticism?

If, on the other hand, you chose to put your heart into a stocking called “delight,” you’d begin to see God the way the psalmist does in this beloved psalm. A heart that delights in God is filled with joy, pleasure, glee, gusto, and exhilaration. To delight in God is to magnify all His great qualities and to implicitly trust Him with those qualities you don’t understand.

To delight in God is to read Psalm 111 in the manner for which it is written. Underline the keywords of exclamation as you read.

“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111).

• Psalm 119:16 – “I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.”
  • What does it mean to you to delight in God’s Word?

 

• Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
  • How should the mindset of delight align you with God’s will for your life?

 

• Job 22:23-26 – “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent, and place your gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you. For then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.”
  Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
  • It’s human nature to tend toward an attitude of entitlement. People who do well, people who are successful, and people who are blessed with talent, money, or notoriety often grow proud instead of thankful and take credit rather than give glory to God. How has the spirit of entitlement affected you?
  • How do entitlement and pride rob you of your delight? How does pride dull your view of God and His astounding goodness?

 

• Psalm 119:14-15 – “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.”
  • How might you develop a heart that truly and fully delights itself in God?

 

• 1 Peter 1:8 – “And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
  • How can you make sure you leave an impression of “pure delight” on those you disciple and mentor?
    THE SHEPHERD’S CALL

    John 13:15 – ​“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

    From today’s scripture, how does ​THE​ Shepherd inspire ​you​ to shepherd ​your​ flock?

    MINUTE OF MEDITATION

    “Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them” (Psalm 111:2).

    PRAYER

    A​doration, ​C​onfession, ​T​hanksgiving, ​S​upplication