“Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.”
Simply stated, this is the classical ending to the Book of Jeremiah. This line is not in the Greek Septuagint text. This book or scroll was tossed into the Euphrates River. There is an appendix attached, but it is mostly a duplicate of chapters 24-25, in 2 Kings, as well as chapter 39 of this work of Jeremiah.
“Therefore thus says Yahweh God.
‘See!
I am laying in Zion
A foundation stone,
A tested stone,
A precious cornerstone,
A sure foundation.
‘One who trusts
Will not panic.’
I will make
Justice the line
With righteousness the plummet.’”
Yahweh, via Isaiah, says that he is going to lay a new tested foundation as the precious cornerstone in Zion. People who trust in Yahweh will not panic. The line and the plummet lead bob for this construction of the new Jerusalem will be justice and righteousness.
“Praise Yahweh!
Aleph
I will give thanks to Yahweh,
With my whole heart,
Bet
In the company of the upright,
In the congregation.
Gimel
Great are the works of Yahweh,
Dalet
Studied by all who delight in them.
He
Full of honor and majesty is his work.
Vav
His righteousness endures forever.
Zain
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 111 is a hymn of praise to Yahweh because he has kept his covenant with Israel. Although there is no title, this fairly short acrostic or Hebrew alphabet psalm has a letter for every line. Like the next 2 psalms, it starts with the refrain “Praise Yahweh” or the Alleluia cry, which is the Hebrew word “Hallelujah.” The psalmist will give thanks to Yahweh with his whole heart at the congregational meeting. He talked about the great works of Yahweh that delights those who study them. Yahweh is full of honor and majesty in his work. Of course, his righteousness lasts forever because he has become well known by his wonderful actions.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 