Psa 111:1 | KD | STEP | With begins a trilogy of Hallelujah-Psalms. It may be appended to , because it places the “for ever” of in broader light in relation to the history of redemption, by stringing praise upon praise of the deeds of Jahve and of His appointments. It stands in the closest relationship to -10. Whilst , as Hitzig correctly says, celebrates the glory, might, and loving-kindness of Jahve in the circle of the “upright,” celebrates the glory flowing therefrom and the happiness of the “upright” themselves, of those who fear Jahve. The two Psalms are twin in form as in contents. They are a mixture of materials taken from older Psalms and gnomical utterances; both are sententious, and both alphabetical. Each consists of twenty-two lines with the twenty-two letters of the alphabet at the beginning, and every line for the most part consists of three words. Both songs are only chains of acrostic lines without any strophic grouping, and therefore cannot be divided out. The analogous accentuation shows how strong is the impression of the close relationship of this twin pair; and both Psalms also close, in and , with two verses of three members, being up to this point divided into verses of two members.

‏ Psalms 111:1

Alphabetical Song in Praise of God

With Psa 111:1-10 begins a trilogy of Hallelujah-Psalms. It may be appended to Psa 110:1-7, because it places the “for ever” of Psa 110:4 in broader light in relation to the history of redemption, by stringing praise upon praise of the deeds of Jahve and of His appointments. It stands in the closest relationship to Psa 112:1-10. Whilst Psa 111:1-10, as Hitzig correctly says, celebrates the glory, might, and loving-kindness of Jahve in the circle of the “upright,” Psa 112:1-10 celebrates the glory flowing therefrom and the happiness of the “upright” themselves, of those who fear Jahve. The two Psalms are twin in form as in contents. They are a mixture of materials taken from older Psalms and gnomical utterances; both are sententious, and both alphabetical. Each consists of twenty-two lines with the twenty-two letters of the alphabet at the beginning, ^{▼▼Böttcher transposes the verses in Psa 111:1-10, and in Psa 112:5 corrects יכלכל into וכלכל; in the warmth of his critical zeal he runs against the boundary-posts of the letters marking the order, without observing it.} and every line for the most part consists of three words. Both songs are only chains of acrostic lines without any strophic grouping, and therefore cannot be divided out. The analogous accentuation shows how strong is the impression of the close relationship of this twin pair; and both Psalms also close, in Psa 111:9 and Psa 111:10, with two verses of three members, being up to this point divided into verses of two members.