Psalms 111:8

They are upheld forever and ever, enacted in truth and uprightness.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Psalmist addresses the worshiping community, linking the trustworthy precepts of verse 7 to the permanent covenant of verse 9. The passage functions as a liturgical declaration of God’s reliable governance over Israel.

The words — סְמוּכִים (se.mu.Khim) translates literally as "sustained" or "upheld," and עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם ('a.su.Yim) means "done" or "enacted." These verbs describe the precepts as firmly established and actively executed.

The thread — The permanence of divine decrees appears in Psalms 19:9, which states God’s judgments are true and altogether righteous, and Isaiah 40:8, which notes God’s word stands forever. Matthew 5:18 similarly records that not a single jot or stroke will disappear from the law until heaven and earth pass away.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that God’s commands are permanently reliable and morally straight, requiring readers to trust their unchanging nature rather than treat them as temporary guidelines.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

סְמוּכִ֣יםse.mu.Khim[they are] sustained לָעַ֣דla./'Adfor/ ever לְעוֹלָ֑םle./'o.Lamfor/ ever עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם'a.su.Yim[they are] done בֶּאֱמֶ֥תbe./'e.Metin/ faithfulness וְיָשָֽׁר׃ve./ya.Sharand/ upright[ness]

King James Version

They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

Cross-references

Matthew 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
Revelation 15:3 and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.
Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.