Psalm 111


Psalm 111 is the 111th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 110. In Latin, it is known as Confitebor tibi Domine. It is a psalm "in praise of the divine attributes". This psalm, along with Psalm 112, is acrostic by phrase, that is, each 7-9 syllable phrase begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. Psalm 119 is also acrostic, with each eight-verse strophe commencing with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. The Jerusalem Bible describes Psalm 112, "in praise of the virtuous", as "akin to this psalm in doctrine, style and poetic structure.
The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies. Musical settings include works by Heinrich Schütz in German, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Henri Desmarets and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi in Latin.

Uses

New Testament

In the New Testament, Psalm 111 is quoted twice:
In the Agpeya, the Coptic Church's book of hours, this psalm is prayed in the office of None.

Protestantism

This is a psalm of praise to God for:
In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the twenty-third day of the month, as well as at Mattins on Easter Day.

Musical settings

wrote a setting of Psalm 111 in German, "Ich danke dem Herrn", SWV 34, as part of Psalmen Davids, published first in 1619. He wrote a setting of a metred paraphrase of the psalm in German, "Ich will von Herzen danken Gott dem Herren", SWV 209, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628. Marc-Antoine Charpentier composed four settings of the psalm in Latin:
  • In 1670s, grand motet "Confitebor tibi Domine", H.151, for soloists, chorus, 2 violins, and continuo
  • In 1690s, grand motet "Confitebor tibi Domine", H.200 - H.200 a, for soloists, chorus, and continuo
  • In 1690s, grand motet "Confitebor tibi Domine", H.220, for soloists, chorus and continuo
  • Mid - 1690s, grand motet "Confitebor tibi Domine", H.225, for soloists, chorus, flutes, strings and continuo
Henri Desmarets set one grand motet lorrain of it, "Confitebor tibi Domine" in 1707. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi composed a setting, Confitebor tibi Domine in C major for soprano, alto, choir, strings and continuo 1732.

Text

The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions. In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 110.
#HebrewEnglishGreek
1Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.᾿Αλληλούϊα. - ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΟΜΑΙ σοι, Κύριε, ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου ἐν βουλῇ εὐθέων καὶ συναγωγῇ.
2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.μεγάλα τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου, ἐξεζητημένα εἰς πάντα τὰ θελήματα αὐτοῦ·
3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.ἐξομολόγησις καὶ μεγαλοπρέπεια τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.
4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.μνείαν ἐποιήσατο τῶν θαυμασίων αὐτοῦ, ἐλεήμων καὶ οἰκτίρμων ὁ Κύριος·
5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.τροφὴν ἔδωκε τοῖς φοβουμένοις αὐτόν, μνησθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα διαθήκης αὐτοῦ.
6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.ἰσχὺν ἔργων αὐτοῦ ἀνήγγειλε τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ τοῦ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς κληρονομίαν ἐθνῶν.
7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.ἔργα χειρῶν αὐτοῦ ἀλήθεια καὶ κρίσις· πισταὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ἐντολαὶ αὐτοῦ,
8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.ἐστηριγμέναι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, πεποιημέναι ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ εὐθύτητι.
9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.λύτρωσιν ἀπέστειλε τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ, ἐνετείλατο εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα διαθήκην αὐτοῦ· ἅγιον καὶ φοβερὸν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.ἀρχὴ σοφίας φόβος Κυρίου, σύνεσις δὲ ἀγαθὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ποιοῦσιν αὐτήν. ἡ αἴνεσις αὐτοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.