Praise the Lord Forever
This psalm is the first of the three Hallelujah (praise) psalms. “Hallelujah” means “praise the Lord!” The psalmist praises God for His great works and calls all God’s people to Praise the Lord and give thanks for all that God has done (1).
Genuinely great are the works of the Lord that He has done on behalf of His people. His works are worthy of further study by His people (2). They are a memorial to God’s revealed character and are to be remembered and celebrated by His people (4). He is just and His works of salvation and judgment reveal this attribute. God not only provides for His people’s physical needs, but also remembers His great promises to them, and will see them happen (5-6).
Brethren, just as God provided food for Israel and led them under His wing into the promised land, so shall He will provide for you (Matt 6:26), and sanctify you (Rom 8:29), and fulfil His promises (1 Peter 1:4), all through the glorious work of the Son of God.
Just as God’s works are true and just, so is His word (7). They are sufficient for life, trustworthy, unchanging, and lived out (8). God has redeemed His people and given them the everlasting New Covenant through the Messiah Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection (9). Because of this he is to be praised (9).
The psalmist ends with a reminder to all believers that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding. Having discernment and wisdom in this life begins with close fellowship with YHWH. Proper and an in depth understanding of life come from obedience to the Lord’s commandments (10). What a great reason to praise the Lord!