The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 111:8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The distinction between truth and uprightness.

"Are done in truth and equity" (Prayerbook Version). The usual contrast to equity is "justice." Justice represents the absolute right according to standard; equity represents the practical application of justice with due consideration of circumstance. Or we may say that justice is right in the sight of God, equity is right between man and man. This distinction seems to be expressed in the words of the text, "truth" and "uprightness." Truth stands for the absolutely right. Uprightness stands for the practically right. Truth God appraises, who can read heart and motive. Uprightness man appraises, who can only estimate conduct.

I. THE WORKS OF GOD JUDGED BY THE ABSOLUTE STANDARD. "They are done in truth." There is no standard of truth or of righteousness separate from and independent of God. God himself is the Standard. We learn it by observing the things he has done. He has made his own standard. It is far above, out of reach, beyond our criticism. It embodies and expresses every virtue that we can imagine, and we look to find that all God's works are up to the standard which God himself has set. But this comes to bewilder men It is vague, speculative. Men cannot grasp any absolute things; and God's standard for himself is beyond intellectual grasp or imaginative setting. Therefore the absolute standard of truth and right is shown to us in the Person, words, and works of the Divine Son, the "Man Christ Jesus." And we can take that standard, apply it to the various works of God wrought in all the ages, and concerning everything we may say, "All his works are done in truth." It is so with the great work of redemption.

II. THE WORKS OF GOD JUDGED BY THE PRACTICAL STANDARD. The practical standard is the conception of righteousness and right, as between man and man, which is entertained in each particular age and nation. It is never perfect; but it always represents the highest and best thought attainable. Now, the psalmist is confident that all God's works, in their age, and in all ages, will even bear the testing of men's standards. They are done in "equity" as well as in "truth."—R.T.

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