Psalm 111:10
The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endures for ever.
The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endures for ever.
Besides this reference in Psalm 111:10, the phrase "the fear of The LORD is" is found throughout the Scriptures. And it is either preceded by an action or it precedes an action. [I have found about seven verses using that exact phrase "the fear of The LORD is".]
Here in Psalm 111:10, "the fear of The LORD" precedes an action; in point of fact, three actions:
(1) The beginning of wisdom is obtained through it
(2) A good understanding is gained through obedience to God's commandments
(3) His praise endures for ever
THE BEGINNING
The beginning is always the best place to start. No one ever won a race by starting at the end or the middle. Reading the end of a good book first is never quite as satisfying as beginning with the first chapter and taking that journey the author takes with you to reach the end.
I like the first line of Moby Dick. "They call me Ishmael." The narrator never really says who he is: we just assumed his name is Ishmael. But then he goes on to tell us a whopper of a tale. It is a momentous beginning of a seafaring journey to catch an elusive white whale. But I like the beginning of the Bible, too. (It also has a better ending).
In the beginning. Also a repeated phrase. Not just in Genesis 1:1, but in John 1:1. In the beginning God. The Author reveals God in all of creation, including the first people. He created all things in the beginning with His Son and His Holy Spirit. Genesis 1, 2; John 1:1-3. He is The Beginning.
The beginning of wisdom is to recognize/acknowledge/know that GOD IS GOD and there is no other god. [Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 43:10]. Seeing there is no other god than GOD, we also know that it is foolishness to worship that which does not exist. For how can a nonexistent deity answer the cries of the human heart? Any prayer and worship extended to manmade gods is idol worship, saint worship, ungodly worship.
The beginning of wisdom is to fear God with a godly reverence: a deep, God-centered, God-focused attitude of worship. To Him we direct our praise. To Him we extend our love and devotion. Not just for what He has done for us, but just because HE IS GOD and HE IS OUR GOD.
We choose to fear THE LORD GOD because The Wisdom of His Holy Spirit resides in us and calls us to deeper worship and a deeper/closer walk with our Lord and Savior.
A GOOD UNDERSTANDING
Do you have a good understanding of God's commandments? You do, if you are obeying them. Obeying them in the fear of The LORD is vital to a strong relationship and a steadfast faith-filled walk with The LORD. Many are they who can recite the first ten commandments. Many can also study them thoroughly and exposit on them. But, sadly, not many of these will obey them.
Some see God's commandments as irrelevant in today's world. They are not the first to believe such lies, nor will they be the last. Those who mock God now and show Him irreverence in their lifetimes will not be laughing when God judges them. They need to repent and turn to God before it's too late. Come to Jesus and Live. God's Word is always True, and therefore it is always relevant and not outdated.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
HIS PRAISE ENDURES FOREVER
The word 'praise' in this verse is the word 'TeHillah', which means 'hymn, song of praise, to laud (extol the praises of ). From Genesis through Revelation people have been praising God's Name. Were I to list one verse from every book of The Bible, we would have 66 verses telling us not only to praise God, but how to praise God. My challenge to you is, can you find one verse in every book of The Bible to give you a total of 66 verses of praising God? And are you willing to share what you have discovered here?
Every journey starts with one step and ends with one step. It is all the steps in the middle that determine where we take our last step. Let's make that first step matter.
The Beginning of Praising God
Genesis 4:26
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon The Name of The LORD.
The Middle of Praising God
Psalm 150:1
Praise The LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament (the visible arch of the sky)!
Revelation 22:3
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of The Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve (worship) Him.
