Bless the Lord, O my soul,   
And all that is within me,   
bless His holy name.   
Bless the Lord, O my soul,   
And forget none of His benefits.   
- Psalms 103:1-2   
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Fear Of The Lord

Psalms 111:10

 

          David makes this statement in Psalms 111:10,” the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Good understandings have all those who do his commandments. His praise endures forever”.  To fear the Lord, and to have proper respect for him, David says, is the beginning of wisdom. David also states in this verse, 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. Vs.7-9. “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. It 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. David states why in this chapter we are to revere him. Vs. 2, “the works of the Lord are great. Vs. 4, “he has made his wonderful works to be remembered. Vs. 5, “he has given food to those who fear him. David here in this verse is not dealing with physical food, but spiritual food. Look at vs. 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 fear is reverence. Reverence means to prostate oneself in homage to him. Prostrate means to cast oneself down on the ground in humility, submission to a Holy and Awesome being. Homage means and acknowledgment of who God is. He is the Holy and Awesome (Reverend) God of heaven who is gracious and full of compassion. 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.

        

                                         - CL Bruner



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