The Fear of the Lord…
1 I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.
2 How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.
3 Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.
4 He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our LORD!
5 He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant.
6 He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations.
7 All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.
8 They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
9 He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!
Psalm 111 is the appointed psalm for Sunday, what the Lectionary calls the Second Sunday of Easter. It begins and ends with reverence and awe for the Lord’s majestic work, which verse 10 describes as the foundation of true wisdom. To fear the Lord, another way to describe reverence and awe is the beginning of wisdom; to follow his principles and directions is to walk in the wisdom his Word reveals to us.
Indeed, that kind of devotion requires commitment. If you are like most Americans, we want to know what we get for the hard work and dedication. Verse two tells us that we gain more than we can imagine; therefore, ponder the marvelous deeds of the Lord.
As I reflected on the psalm, I read at least seven benefits provided by the Lord.
He causes us to remember that he is a gracious and merciful LORD!
He gives food to those who fear him.
He never breaks his covenant.
He delivers us from our enemies.
He is just and good to his people.
He ransomed us from Satan, sin, and death.
He is entirely trustworthy.
Although this is only a short list of the many promises God makes with those who fear him, they are sufficient to stir our hearts to worship the God of our salvation. Everyone who listens to them grows in wisdom. Praise him forever!
