Psalms 111
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Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 111:1-10
Great Are the Lord’s Works
1 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 111:1-10
Psalm 111
1Praise the Lord.
I will extol the Lord with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
2Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” This "beginning" can refer to a chronological starting point. It reminds us to put God first in our day. It sets a “Theostat,” as it were, for keeping Him close in our thoughts, making Him the touch-point for every difficulty, the One we turn to with thanks for every blessing. Everything reminds us of Him!
But "beginning" isn't just about time: it refers also to the first part of structure: you dig a deeper foundation, the taller you plan to build. Sometimes "beginning" is about a pinnacle—the chief part, first in importance. Jesus said knowing God "is life eternal." To the psalmist, "The fear of the Lord" is the most important thing one can experience! It's also an intellectual framework—a worldview—in which everything finds its meaning. Everything fits—even if it doesn't—but at least it makes sense there. Knowing Who God Is, especially as He has revealed Himself in Christ, particularly in the context of the cosmic conflict in the Universe, helps us understand the world around us. It helps us trust our future to the Love that was nailed to the Cross for us.
Virginia Davidson
Artist—designing and building stained glass windows.Spokane Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, Washington State, USA
