November 18, 2021 – Psalms 111-115

The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever” (111:4,5). And of the one who rests in the Lord, it can be said: “For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord (112:6,7). Such wonderful assurances. Psalm 115 is the “they-have-mouths-but-do-not-speak-eyes-but-do-not-see” psalm. That is, the worthless, lifeless idols of men are contrasted with the God who is spoken of in the above verses, who gives food, who is faithful, and who is our resting place.

The psalmist summarizes: “Those who make them (idols) become like them; so do all who trust in them. O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield” (115:8,9). We trust not in things that are not but in our God who is Lord.

O worship the King all-glorious above,

O gratefully sing his power and his love:

our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,

pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,

in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.

Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,

our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend! --Robert Grant (1833)