All who love God delight to meditate upon His works.
They are all praiseworthy, and if considered, cannot but cause us to adore Him and to express His praise to others.
Psalm 1
1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 1 – J. Vernon McGee
Psalm 111 – The Works of the Lord
A fresh series of psalms begins here, of which the dominant note is Hallelujah. This and the next are similar in construction, each being alphabetical; that is, the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The first is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving at the contemplation of Jehovah’s works; and the second describes the righteousness which His chosen derive from Him. They are the work of an unknown minstrel, but anonymity is characteristic of the highest work. When a man has achieved a really noble and beautiful work, he is indifferent to the judgment and praise of his fellows.
Let us, as Psalm 111:2 suggests, take pleasure in God’s works and seek them out. It is well to acquaint ourselves with some branch of natural study for this purpose. But the wealth of truth hidden in the precepts of the Word of God, Psalm 111:7, will still better repay us. God’s works in nature, providence, and grace will be our theme and joy for eternal ages. A veil, however, is now on our eyes and a lethargy on our tongues. What precious phrases are scattered through this psalm! Full of compassion; meat for his own; ever mindful of his covenant; redemption sent to his people; the covenant commanded forever. What strong consolation for those who have fled for refuge! In the closing verses wisdom is used, as in Solomon’s time, of the intuitions of the pure heart. —Through the Bible Day by Day
Psalm 111:2—The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
The merchant goes forth to seek goodly pearls. Go forth, O Christian heart, to discover fresh jewels in thy Savior’s character. You will find them in meditation, in converse with other souls, but mainly in the reverent investigation of Scripture.
The theme of the Bible is—the works of the Lord. Its constant affirmation is that they are great; that his work is honor and majesty; that He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered; that He shows his people the power of his works; and that the works of his hands are truth and judgment. Where better could we study or seek them out?
Consider God’s works in Creation, as scene after scene is unfolded in the first chapter of Genesis; in, destruction, as when the Deluge swept the earth; in redemption, when He led his people out of Egypt; in judgment, when He handed his people over to their enemies; in the holy Incarnation, the Passion, the Resurrection of Jesus, and in the coming of the Paraclete. Seek out these great and wonderful works; trace the references made to them in every part of Scripture; find a holy pleasure in reviewing them in all their wealth of significance.
Kepler, when be first turned his telescope to clustered worlds, exclaimed, “I am thinking over again the first thoughts of God.” Oh that the ecstasy of the ardent student of nature might fill our hearts as we direct our thought to the great works of our Savior-God! But our attitude, like his, must be one of reverence, patience, and dependence, an the revealing Spirit. Probably this will be oar employment in eternity; ever passing into deeper and fuller appreciation of the works of God, and breaking; into more rapturous songs. —Our Daily Homily