The Meaning of Psalms 111:1 Explained

Psalms 111:1

KJV: Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

YLT: Praise ye Jah! I thank Jehovah with the whole heart, In the secret meeting of the upright, And of the company.

Darby: Hallelujah! I will celebrate Jehovah with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the assembly.

ASV: Praise ye Jehovah. I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Praise  ye the LORD.  I will praise  the LORD  with [my] whole heart,  in the assembly  of the upright,  and [in] the congregation. 

What does Psalms 111:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 111:1-10 - 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 Psalms 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, Psalms 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. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 111

1  The psalmist by his example incites others to praise God for his glorious
5  And gracious works
10  The fear of God breeds true wisdom

What do the individual words in Psalms 111:1 mean?

Praise YAH I will praise Yahweh with whole [my] heart in the assembly of the upright and [in] the congregation
הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ אוֹדֶ֣ה יְ֭הוָה בְּכָל־ לֵבָ֑ב בְּס֖וֹד יְשָׁרִ֣ים וְעֵדָֽה

הַ֥לְלוּ  Praise 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
יָ֨הּ ׀  YAH 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָהּ  
Sense: Jah (Jehovah in the shortened form).
אוֹדֶ֣ה  I  will  praise 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: יָדָה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast.
יְ֭הוָה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּכָל־  with  whole 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
לֵבָ֑ב  [my]  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵבָב  
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.
בְּס֖וֹד  in  the  assembly 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: סׄוד  
Sense: council, counsel, assembly.
יְשָׁרִ֣ים  of  the  upright 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: יָשָׁר 
Sense: straight, upright, correct, right.
וְעֵדָֽה  and  [in]  the  congregation 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵדָה  
Sense: congregation, gathering.