Psalm 111:1-10 The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

Psalm 111:1-10

The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His commandments have good understanding. His praise endures forever.

Psalm 111 is a psalm of thanksgiving—a heartfelt expression of gratitude from those who serve God with integrity. Those who wholly devote themselves to God have witnessed His wondrous works. Indeed, who could witness the acts of the Lord and not be moved to serve Him completely?

Those who have seen and experienced God's works stand in awe of Him. They serve Him with fear and trembling, humbling themselves and bowing before Him. They keep His statutes and commandments in obedience, for they revere Him.

To fear the Lord is to experience a willing, joyful awe. This is not the fear felt at gunpoint, nor the threatening dread that comes from violence. Rather, it is a voluntary reverence born from encountering grace and mercy so abundant we can barely contain it—a response to joy, delight, expectation, and hope that overwhelms us. It is reverence and wonder intertwined.

This reverential awe, springing naturally from experiencing God's gracious works, leads us to follow His statutes. It compels us to keep His commandments. The Lord's statutes and commandments guide us toward truth and position us on the side of justice. Thus, those who fear God live righteously before both God and humanity.

Those who experience God come to fear Him; those who fear Him follow His statutes and commandments; and those who keep His commandments cannot help but act with integrity and justice. God eternally keeps His covenant with such people. Therefore, fearing the Lord is truly the foundation of wisdom for living the life He has given us.

Prayer:

Faithful and righteous God, teach us to follow Your statutes and commandments. Lord, who guides us with grace and love, grant that we may look to You and praise You with fear and trembling, expectation and hope, and joy. May we walk with You in integrity and justice. Holy Spirit, guide us in truth. Amen.