Psalm 111

To Him Belongs Eternal Praise

This is a psalm of praise, going over many aspects of God that we adore; His holiness, graciousness, compassion, and justice.  God redeems those who obey Him.  However, it is the last verse of this psalm that stuck out to me.  It is a phrase I have heard before, but never knew it was from a psalm until I saw it here.  The verse reads "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".  It's a phrase I'd like to dig into deeper.

First thing's first, what is "Fear of the Lord"?  If God wants us to love Him, why are we encouraged to fear Him?  And it is not just here that we are not only asked, but encouraged, to fear God.  This is not just an Old Testament idea as either; Jesus tells us to fear God as well.  Is it a concept that can't be ignored, since it is so prevalent in scripture.  So what to make of it?  How do we bridge the apparent contradiction that we worship a God of love and God of fear?

What are we supposed to fear?  Well, as Christians, are we not supposed to fear evil?  Isn't it right we should fear sin?  We should fear the forces of the world that try to separate us from God.  How do we fear these things as well as fear God?  Scripture tells us that God is more powerful than evil.  He is more powerful than sin.  He is more powerful than anything.  In our lives, we have a choice; follow God, or follow sin.  If we chose sin, we have to face God, who is even more powerful than sin.  A fear of God can be constructive, because a fear of God keeps us from seeking a life of sin.

A fear of God can have consequences in our lives.  If we fear God, we're less likely to give into our own egos.  Without a fear of God, we will start looking for an easier life, a less demanding savior, or a more convenient faith.  With a fear of God, we're unlikely to see ourselves as God's equal, and instead remember that we're His creation, and it is Him we serve, not ourselves.

If this fear is the beginning of wisdom, what is the end of wisdom?  When we fear God, we're less likely to place emphasis on the world, and put emphasis on God, and thus, we can begin to absorb God's wisdom.  But what's after the beginning?  Well, look back to the rest of this psalm.  God is a redeemer of His people.  God provides so much for his creation, that it is almost impossible to comprehend.  God's love is limitless.  Perhaps, understanding God's love is the wisdom we're seeking here.  We can begin to understand it, but we'll never reach the end.

1 Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
    in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
    enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
    he ordained his covenant forever—
    holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.