Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 111 with John Calvin – God’s Faithful Justice Glorious and majestic are his deeds (v. 3). Every act of God is full of glorious majesty. The psalmist specifies what this beauty and magnificence consist of by stating that his righteousness is visible everywhere. It is not the purpose of God to display his power and sovereignty in such a way that it would only terrify us. Instead, he also gives us a display of his justice in such an inviting way as to captivate our hearts. This tribute to the works and ways of God is introduced in opposition to the noisy lies of the ungodly, which they try to use to the utmost extent of their power, to disfigure and deface the glory of God. And having called upon us to contemplate his justice, now, in a similar way, and almost in the same terms, he celebrates the grace and mercy of God, mainly in relation to his works, because the justice he displays in the preservation and protection of his people arises from his unmerited favor which he shows them. The works of his hands are faithful and just (v. 7). In the first part of the verse the

John Calvin on Psalm 111 “The law is prominent because, by declaring the eternal love of God, it became the means of giving life.”

psalmist exclaims that God is known to be faithful and upright in his works, and then he goes on to celebrate

the same truth throughout the law. A beautiful harmony characterises all the sayings and doings of God, because everywhere he shows himself to be just and faithful. We have a memorable proof of this fact in the redemption of his ancient people. Among humans it is reckoned to be more important for one to be found fair in practice than in what they say; yet, as the law was the very life and