Fear of the Lord

Psalms 111:10

3-13-11

In Psalms 111:10 we read, “…the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Good understandings have all those who do his commandments. His praise endures forever.” David here says, to fear the Lord, and to have proper respect for Him, is the beginning of wisdom. David also states that if one does his commandments, they have a good understanding of who God is, and why He is to be feared.

In giving praise to God in this chapter, David gives reasons why we are to fear him. In verses7-9 he writes, “…the works of his hands are verity (truth) and justice. All his precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to his people. He has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome (reverend) is his name.”

Some versions read this way in verse 9: “holy and fearful is his name”. In verse 10, it reads concerning His commandments, “…and all who act accordingly have a good understanding.” To have a good understanding of God’s commandments and act (do) is to fear the Lord…this is the beginning of wisdom.

Fear is defined as ‘to revere’. Revere carries with it the idea of ‘respect’ or ‘to be in awe of’; to honor; to adore; to have the utmost esteem for. In this chapter, David states why we are to ‘revere’ him. Verse 2 says, “…the works of the Lord are great.” Verse 4 says, “…he has made his wonderful works to be remembered.” Verse 5 says, “…he has given food to those who fear him.” David here in this verse is not dealing with physical food, but spiritual food. He says in verse 6: “…he has declared to his people the power of his works in giving them the heritage (inheritance) of the nations.”

A synonym of this word is ‘reverence’. Reverence means to prostrate oneself in homage to him. The word ‘prostrate’ means to ‘cast oneself down on the ground in humility; submission to a Holy and Awesome being.” Homage means ‘an acknowledgment of who God is’. He is the Holy and Awesome (Reverend) God of heaven who is gracious and full of compassion. He is a God of truth and justice to whom we are to bow before and praise Him.

How do we do this? Psalms 111:10, “…the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and all that act accordingly have a good understanding of his commandments, his praises endures forever and ever.”

C. L. Bruner