Psalms 111:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 111:3 mean?

Psalms 111:3 says that God’s work is both honorable and glorious, and that His righteousness lasts forever. This verse highlights the lasting greatness and moral uprightness of everything God does.

The psalmist is speaking to a community of worshipers, praising God’s character and actions. The verse comes in a song that celebrates God’s deeds and faithfulness, showing that God’s actions are not only impressive but also deeply good and enduring. The focus is on God’s reputation and the never-ending nature of His righteousness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 111:3

• "Work" (פֹּעַל, po‘al) refers to God’s deeds or actions, emphasizing that what God does is being observed and praised here.
• "Honourable" (הוֹד, hod) means splendor or majesty, pointing to the impressive, awe-inspiring quality of God’s actions.
• "Glorious" (הָדָר, hadar) means beauty or glory, stressing that God’s works are not just powerful but also beautiful and worthy of admiration.
• "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah) means uprightness or justice, highlighting that God’s actions are always morally right.
• "Endureth" (עָמַד, ‘amad) means to stand or remain, showing that God’s righteousness is unchanging and permanent.
• "Ever" (עַד, ‘ad) means forever or perpetually, reinforcing the idea that God’s righteousness never ends.

Why Psalms 111:3 matters

• This verse clarifies that God’s greatness is not just about power, but about lasting goodness and beauty, which might be missed if only thinking of God as strong.
• The emphasis on God’s righteousness enduring forever connects to the whole psalm’s theme of remembering and celebrating God’s faithfulness across generations.
• By pairing honor, glory, and righteousness, the verse shows that God’s actions are both impressive to witness and morally perfect, encouraging trust in God’s character.