Psalms 111:6

Authorized King James Version

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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.)
לָ֝הֶ֗ם H0
לָ֝הֶ֗ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 8
נַחֲלַ֥ת them the heritage H5159
נַחֲלַ֥ת them the heritage
Strong's: H5159
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
גּוֹיִֽם׃ of the heathen H1471
גּוֹיִֽם׃ of the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 8 of 8
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

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.

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.

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