Psalms 111:9-10
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse connects God's sending redemption with the establishment of His covenant, highlighting that these aren't separate acts but intrinsically linked. God's redemptive actions are the powerful, tangible outworking of His eternal covenant promises, demonstrating that His "holy and awesome name" is revealed through His faithfulness to His people.
This verse concludes a powerful psalm of praise, summarizing God's faithfulness. It looks back at His mighty acts, particularly the liberation from Egypt and the establishment of His covenant, pointing towards future redemptions and the enduring nature of His promises. The psalm's focus is on acknowledging God's holiness and the profound reverence His name deserves because of these actions.
When the Psalmist talks about God sending redemption, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Likely the dramatic escape from Egypt. But the Bible shows us this theme echoes through history, pointing to something even greater.
The verse mentions God sending redemption to His people. While the immediate thought is the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt (as many commentators note, referencing Exodus), this act was a powerful signpost.
A Pattern of Deliverance
Each act of redemption highlights God's persistent love and His plan to restore His people.
God's covenant is mentioned as something commanded 'forever.' What does it mean for a promise to be 'commanded' and eternal? Let's explore the depth of God's commitment.
The phrase 'he has commanded his covenant forever' speaks to the absolute certainty and immutability of God's agreement with His people.
Commanded and Eternal
Understand the original words
peduth · Hebrew Noun
The act of liberating, releasing, or rescuing someone from bondage, debt, or judgment, often through the payment of a price. In the Bible, it is the primary motif of God's saving action for His people.
berith · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by divine promise and commitment. It is the framework through which God enters into relationship with humanity.
qadosh · Hebrew Adjective
Set apart for God, pure, and morally transcendent. It describes the absolute distinctness and moral perfection of God's character.
nora · Hebrew Adjective
Inspiring profound reverence, awe, and fear. Used of God, it signifies His majesty and the appropriate human response of trembling wonder before His greatness.
The psalm's reference to God sending redemption and commanding His covenant for all time echoes through Israel's history, particularly highlighting the foundational Exodus, the devastating exiles, and the triumphant returns, all understood as expressions of God's unchanging, holy character.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
God powerfully delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, establishing His covenant with them at Mount Sinai shortly after. This foundational act of redemption and covenant-making is a primary reference point for the psalm.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and leaving many to question God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Judeans. This crisis tested faith, as the covenant seemed broken and God's people abandoned.
c. 539 BC
Edict of Cyrus
The Persian king Cyrus allowed the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple, an act of 'redemption' that demonstrated God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant.
This passage echoes the awe-inspiring nature of God's holiness mentioned in Psalm 111:9, directly asking 'Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?' It highlights the 'holy and awesome' character of God displayed through His mighty acts.
Jeremiah 31:31-34This prophecy about the 'new covenant' speaks to the enduring nature of God's promises and His commitment to His people, mirroring Psalm 111:9's declaration that God 'has commanded his covenant forever.' It shows God's faithfulness continuing into a future redemption.
Luke 1:68-75Zechariah's prophetic praise directly references God 'visiting and redeeming his people' and raising up a 'horn of salvation,' which powerfully connects to Psalm 111:9's mention of God sending redemption. This passage frames the promised redemption in terms of salvation from enemies and living in holiness.
Isaiah 49:14-16This passage speaks of God's covenant never being forgotten and His people feeling forsaken, yet God promises to restore them, showing His steadfast faithfulness that aligns with the 'commanded his covenant forever' aspect of Psalm 111:9. It highlights God's enduring commitment even when His people feel abandoned.
Hebrews 9:15pulpitPsalms 111:9: "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."
Verse 9. - He sent redemption unto his people. The "redemption" from Egypt (Exodus 6:6) is perhaps especially in the writer's mind, but he may be thinking also of other deliverances. He hath commanded his covenant forever (comp. Genesis 9:12; Genesis 17:13; Exodus 31:16, etc.). Holy and reverend is his Name. Intrinsically "holy," and therefore "reverend," or to be reverenc…
poolePsalms 111:9: "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."
Redemption; that deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type and pledge of that greater and higher redemption by Christ. Commanded, i.e. appointed or established firmly by his power and authority. And so this word is oft used, as Psalm 33:9 42:8 105:31,34 . See Poole "Psalm 111:7" , the ground of which signification may be taken from hence, that the command of a sufficient…
The verse connects God's sending redemption with the establishment of His covenant, highlighting that these aren't separate acts but intrinsically linked. God's redemptive actions are the powerful, tangible outworking of His eternal covenant promises, demonstrating that His "holy and awesome name" is revealed through His faithfulness to His people.
This verse concludes a powerful psalm of praise, summarizing God's faithfulness. It looks back at His mighty acts, particularly the liberation from Egypt and the establishment of His covenant, pointing towards future redemptions and the enduring nature of His promises. The psalm's focus is on acknowledging God's holiness and the profound reverence His name deserves because of these actions.
This verse concludes a powerful psalm of praise, summarizing God's faithfulness. It looks back at His mighty acts, particularly the liberation from Egypt and the establishment of His covenant, pointing towards future redemptions and the enduring nature of His promises. The psalm's focus is on acknowledging God's holiness and the profound reverence His name deserves because of these actions.
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This eternal command means God's promises are completely reliable, a source of immense comfort and stability.
The verse concludes by declaring God's name is 'Holy and awesome.' This isn't just a title; it's a revelation of His very character. What does this profound holiness demand from us?
The exclamation, 'Holy and awesome is his name!' serves as the climactic declaration of Psalm 111. It’s a call to awe and reverence.
The Nature of God's Name
yir'ah · Hebrew Noun
A profound, reverential trust and worshipful obedience toward God. It is the foundational recognition of God’s sovereignty and the beginning point of true spiritual knowledge.
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
The ability to perceive, discern, and apply truth according to God's standard. It is practical, lived-out knowledge that leads to righteous behavior.
This New Testament verse explicitly links the new covenant to Christ's death, providing redemption from transgressions. It shows how the 'redemption' and 'covenant' mentioned in Psalm 111:9 find their ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning through Jesus.
"He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. Hi…" — The verse connects God's sending redemption with the establishment of His covenant, highlighting that these aren't separate acts but intrinsically linked. God's redemptive actions are the powerful, t…
