Psalms Chapter 111 · Verse 6
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣חַ
the power
H3581
כֹּ֣חַ
the power
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
1 of 8
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
מַ֭עֲשָׂיו
of his works
H4639
מַ֭עֲשָׂיו
of his works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
2 of 8
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
הִגִּ֣יד
He hath shewed
H5046
הִגִּ֣יד
He hath shewed
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לְעַמּ֑וֹ
his people
H5971
לְעַמּ֑וֹ
his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 8
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לָתֵ֥ת
that he may give
H5414
לָתֵ֥ת
that he may give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 8
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 80:8Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.Psalms 44:2How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.Psalms 2:8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.Joshua 6:20So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Historical Context
The conquest of Canaan demonstrated God's power—Jordan crossing, Jericho's walls falling, sun standing still (Joshua 3-6, 10). Yet Deuteronomy makes clear: not Israel's righteousness but Canaanites' wickedness and God's covenant faithfulness drove conquest (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). Israel received unearned inheritance. Christians similarly receive unearned inheritance (Ephesians 1:11-14, Colossians 1:12, 1 Peter 1:4)—not by conquest but by Christ's victory over sin, death, Satan. Romans 4:13 says Abraham's seed inherit the world through righteousness of faith.
Questions for Reflection
- What "powerful works" has God performed that testify to His might and faithfulness?
- How does understanding your spiritual inheritance as unearned gift affect gratitude and humility?
- In what ways does God continue declaring the power of His works to His people today?
Analysis & Commentary
Koach ma'asav higgid le'amo (The power of His works He has declared to His people). Koach (power/strength) indicates mighty acts. Nagad (declare/tell/make known) means revelation, announcement. Latet lahem nachalat goyim (to give them the inheritance of nations). Nachalah (inheritance); goyim (nations). God demonstrated His power to Israel by giving them Canaan—the inheritance of dispossessed nations. This references conquest under Joshua, fulfilling Abrahamic promises.