The Meaning of Psalms 111:6 Explained

Psalms 111:6

KJV: He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

YLT: The power of His works He hath declared to His people, To give to them the inheritance of nations.

Darby: He hath shewn his people the power of his works, to give them the heritage of the nations.

ASV: He hath showed his people the power of his works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He hath shewed  his people  the power  of his works,  that he may give  them the heritage  of the heathen. 

What does Psalms 111:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 111:1-10 - The Works Of The Lord
A fresh series of psalms begins here, of which the dominant note is Hallelujah. This and the next are similar in construction, each being alphabetical; that is, the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The first is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving at the contemplation of Jehovah's works; and the second describes the righteousness which His chosen derive from Him. They are the work of an unknown minstrel, but anonymity is characteristic of the highest work. When a man has achieved a really noble and beautiful work, he is indifferent to the judgment and praise of his fellows.
Let us, as Psalms 111:2 suggests, take pleasure in God's works and seek them out. It is well to acquaint ourselves with some branch of natural study for this purpose. But the wealth of truth hidden in the precepts of the Word of God, Psalms 111:7, will still better repay us. God's works in nature, providence, and grace will be our theme and joy for eternal ages. A veil, however, is now on our eyes and a lethargy on our tongues. What precious phrases are scattered through this psalm! Full of compassion; meat for his own ever mindful of his covenant; redemption sent to his people; the covenant commanded forever. What strong consolation for those who have fled for refuge! In the closing verses wisdom is used, as in Solomon's time, of the intuitions of the pure heart. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 111

1  The psalmist by his example incites others to praise God for his glorious
5  And gracious works
10  The fear of God breeds true wisdom

What do the individual words in Psalms 111:6 mean?

The power of His works He has declared to His people in giving them the heritage of the nations
כֹּ֣חַ מַ֭עֲשָׂיו הִגִּ֣יד לְעַמּ֑וֹ לָתֵ֥ת לָ֝הֶ֗ם נַחֲלַ֥ת גּוֹיִֽם

כֹּ֣חַ  The  power 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּחַ 
Sense: strength, power, might.
מַ֭עֲשָׂיו  of  His  works 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
הִגִּ֣יד  He  has  declared 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
לְעַמּ֑וֹ  to  His  people 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
לָתֵ֥ת  in  giving 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
נַחֲלַ֥ת  the  heritage 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: נַחֲלָה  
Sense: possession, property, inheritance, heritage.
גּוֹיִֽם  of  the  nations 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.