The Meaning of Psalms 111:4 Explained

Psalms 111:4

KJV: He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

YLT: A memorial He hath made of His wonders, Gracious and merciful is Jehovah.

Darby: He hath made his wonders to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful.

ASV: He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: Jehovah is gracious and merciful.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He hath made  his wonderful works  to be remembered:  the LORD  [is] gracious  and full of compassion. 

What does Psalms 111:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 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: Psalms 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 111:4 mean?

To be remembered He has made His wonderful works gracious and compassionate Yahweh [is]
זֵ֣כֶר עָ֭שָׂה לְנִפְלְאֹתָ֑יו חַנּ֖וּן וְרַח֣וּם יְהוָֽה

זֵ֣כֶר  To  be  remembered 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זֵכֶר 
Sense: memorial, remembrance.
עָ֭שָׂה  He  has  made 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לְנִפְלְאֹתָ֑יו  His  wonderful  works 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Nifal, Participle, feminine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּלָא  
Sense: to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action.
חַנּ֖וּן  gracious 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: חַנּוּן  
Sense: gracious.
וְרַח֣וּם  and  compassionate 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַחוּם  
Sense: compassionate.
יְהוָֽה  Yahweh  [is] 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.