Psalms 111:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The fear {H3374} of the LORD {H3068} is the beginning {H7225} of wisdom {H2451}: a good {H2896} understanding {H7922} have all they that do {H6213} his commandments: his praise {H8416} endureth {H5975} for ever {H5703}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of ADONAI; all those living by it gain good common sense. His praise stands forever.

Berean Standard Bible

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!

American Standard Version

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that dohis commandments: His praise endureth for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 111:10 beautifully encapsulates the essence of true wisdom and understanding, presenting them not as mere intellectual pursuits but as profound outcomes of a right relationship with God. This concluding verse of a hymn of praise declares that reverent awe for the LORD is the foundational starting point for all genuine wisdom, leading to practical discernment for those who diligently obey His commands. Ultimately, it affirms that the praise due to God, the source of this wisdom and the object of our obedience, is eternal and enduring.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, with each half-line or line beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, a literary device that aids memorization and suggests completeness. It is a hymn of praise (Hallelujah Psalm), celebrating the magnificent works and righteous character of the LORD. The psalm begins with a call to praise [Psalms 111:1](/psalms/111-1 "Psalms 111:1 - Praise the LORD!") and then enumerates God's great deeds—His mighty works, His righteousness, His provision for His people, His covenant faithfulness, and His redemption. Verse 10 serves as a theological capstone, summarizing the psalm's overarching message by linking the awe-inspiring nature of God's works and character to the human response of wisdom and obedience. It acts as an inclusio with the opening call to praise, framing the entire psalm with the theme of God's enduring worthiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "the fear of the LORD" as the beginning of wisdom is a cornerstone of Israel's wisdom tradition, prominently featured in books like [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs - The Book of Wisdom"), [Job](/job/1 "Job - The Book of Suffering and Wisdom"), and [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Search for Meaning"). In ancient Israel, wisdom (_chokhmah_) was not merely intellectual acumen but practical skill, moral discernment, and the ability to navigate life successfully in accordance with divine principles. This "fear" (_yir'ah_) signifies a profound reverence, awe, and humble submission to God's sovereign authority and holiness, rather than a terror-filled dread. It implies a recognition of God's absolute power and justice, fostering a desire to live in alignment with His revealed will, as articulated in the Torah and the covenant. This reverence was central to Israelite piety and communal life, shaping their understanding of morality, justice, and prosperity.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 111:10 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it establishes **divine revelation as the source of true wisdom**, asserting that human understanding is contingent upon acknowledging God's supremacy. Secondly, it highlights the **intrinsic link between reverence and obedience**, demonstrating that genuine awe for God naturally leads to a desire to "do His commandments." This obedience is not burdensome but is the pathway to "good understanding" or practical discernment. Thirdly, the verse underscores the **eternal nature of God's character and His enduring worthiness of praise**. The wisdom gained from fearing God and obeying Him leads to a life that continually glorifies Him, reflecting His own everlasting righteousness and faithfulness. This resonates with the recurring theme of God's covenant loyalty and His actions on behalf of His people, which are themselves the basis for their praise and obedience, as seen in [Deuteronomy 4:6](/deuteronomy/4-6 "Deuteronomy 4:6 - Wisdom and Understanding Through Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yir'ah'_):** This term, often translated as "fear," carries a much deeper meaning than mere fright. In the context of "the fear of the LORD," it denotes profound reverence, awe, respect, and humble submission to God's majesty, power, and holiness. It is an attitude of worshipful adoration that recognizes God's supreme authority and leads to a desire to obey His will. This reverential fear is the antithesis of casual disregard for God; it is the proper response to His infinite glory and goodness.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokhmah'_):** In biblical thought, _chokhmah_ is not merely intellectual knowledge or academic intelligence. It encompasses practical skill, moral discernment, prudence, and the ability to live a righteous and successful life in accordance with God's principles. It is applied knowledge, the capacity to make wise decisions and conduct oneself skillfully in all areas of life, aligning one's actions with divine truth.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _sekhel'_):** This word refers to discernment, insight, and the ability to act prudently based on sound judgment. It is the practical application of _chokhmah_, indicating the capacity to comprehend and apply wisdom effectively. While _chokhmah_ might be the broader concept of wisdom, _sekhel_ emphasizes the practical, discerning aspect of that wisdom, particularly as it relates to obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom":** This clause establishes the foundational principle. "Beginning" (_reshit_) here implies not just a chronological starting point but also the chief, the most excellent, or the foundational principle from which all true wisdom flows. It means that genuine wisdom originates from and is continually sustained by a reverent awe of God. Without this foundational reverence, any human knowledge or understanding, no matter how profound, falls short of true biblical wisdom. It is the necessary prerequisite for discerning God's will and living a life that truly flourishes.
* **"a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]":** This second clause reveals the practical outworking and deepening of wisdom. "Good understanding" (_sekhel tov_) is not merely intellectual comprehension but practical discernment and insight that comes through action. The phrase "all they that do his commandments" highlights the active, obedient response to God's revealed will. There is a direct, experiential correlation: as individuals live in obedience to God's instructions, their spiritual discernment grows, and they gain a deeper, more practical understanding of His ways and His truth. This understanding is not theoretical but is proven and refined through lived experience.
* **"his praise endureth for ever":** The final clause shifts focus back to God, underscoring the ultimate purpose and outcome of this wisdom and obedience. The enduring praise of God is both the natural result of His eternal character and works, and the perpetual response of those who have gained wisdom through fearing and obeying Him. It implies that a life lived in reverent wisdom and obedience is a life that continually glorifies God, whose attributes and actions are worthy of everlasting adoration. This phrase also serves as a strong affirmation of God's unchanging nature, upon which all true wisdom is built.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 111:10 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The entire psalm is structured as an **Acrostic**, where each line or half-line begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This sophisticated device not only aids memorization but also suggests a sense of completeness and order, reinforcing the idea that God's works and the wisdom derived from them are perfectly ordered and comprehensive. Within the verse itself, **Parallelism** is evident, particularly **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" is echoed and reinforced by "a good understanding have all they that do his commandments." These two clauses express similar ideas using different but related terms, emphasizing the interconnectedness of reverence, wisdom, obedience, and understanding. The verse also functions as a **Summary Statement** or **Inclusio** for the entire Psalm 111, bringing the themes of God's greatness and the proper human response to a powerful conclusion. The didactic nature of the verse, explicitly teaching a foundational truth, gives it a **Proverbial** quality, akin to the wisdom literature it echoes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 111:10 profoundly integrates the concepts of knowledge, piety, and practical living, asserting that true wisdom is not a secular intellectual pursuit but an outcome of a right relationship with God. It dismantles any false dichotomy between spiritual devotion and practical discernment, demonstrating that genuine understanding flows directly from reverent submission to the Divine. This verse underscores the biblical principle that knowing God (which involves fearing Him) is inseparable from obeying God, and that this obedience is the pathway to a deeper, experiential knowledge of His character and will. It highlights that God's commands are not arbitrary rules but are designed to lead humanity into a flourishing life, characterized by discernment and ultimately, by perpetual praise of the Creator.

* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Deuteronomy 6:2](/deuteronomy/6-2 "Deuteronomy 6:2 - Obedience for Understanding and Long Life")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 111:10 offers timeless guidance for cultivating a life of genuine wisdom and spiritual flourishing. It challenges us to examine the foundation of our understanding: do we truly begin with a profound, reverent awe of God? This "fear of the LORD" is not a fleeting emotion but a settled disposition of the heart that acknowledges God's supreme authority, holiness, and love. Such reverence naturally leads to a desire to obey His commandments, recognizing that His instructions are for our good and His glory. As we actively strive to live in alignment with His revealed will, our spiritual understanding deepens, our discernment sharpens, and we experience the practical benefits of His wisdom in every facet of life. This journey of growing in wisdom through reverence and obedience culminates in a life that instinctively offers enduring praise to God, reflecting His eternal worthiness and the transformative power of His truth within us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of "the fear of the LORD" shape my daily life and decisions, particularly in areas where I seek guidance or wisdom?**
* **In what specific areas am I being called to greater obedience to God's commandments, and how might that commitment deepen my practical understanding and discernment?**
* **Considering that "his praise endureth for ever," how can my life more consistently reflect the enduring praise of God as a natural outflow of His wisdom working through me?**

### FAQ
**Is "fear of the LORD" about being scared of God?**

Answer: Not in the sense of terror or dread. The "fear of the LORD" (_yir'at Yahweh_) in biblical wisdom literature primarily signifies a profound, reverent awe, respect, and humble submission to God's majesty, power, and holiness. It is an attitude of worshipful adoration that recognizes God's supreme authority and leads to a desire to obey His will and depart from evil, as seen in [Proverbs 8:13](/proverbs/8-13 "Proverbs 8:13 - The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil"). This fear is foundational to a right relationship with Him.

**How does obedience to God's commandments lead to "good understanding"?**

Answer: Obedience is not merely a legalistic duty but an experiential pathway to deeper understanding. As we actively "do his commandments," we gain practical insight and discernment that cannot be acquired through intellectual study alone. Living out God's truth in daily life reveals its wisdom, its benefits, and its transformative power. It's akin to learning a skill: theoretical knowledge is helpful, but true mastery and understanding come through consistent practice. Jesus Himself taught that if anyone chooses to do God's will, they will know whether the teaching is from God or whether He speaks on His own [John 7:17](/john/7-17 "John 7:17 - Doing God's Will to Know Doctrine").

**Is wisdom only for scholars or theologians?**

Answer: No, Psalms 111:10 explicitly states that "a good understanding have **all they that do his commandments**." This indicates that true wisdom and understanding are accessible to all who choose to live in reverent obedience to God, regardless of their academic background. While scholars may delve into theological depths, the practical wisdom for living a righteous and flourishing life is available to every believer. The New Testament similarly encourages all believers to seek wisdom, promising that God gives generously to those who ask [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom"). It is a wisdom that manifests in practical, ethical living, characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy [James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - Wisdom from Above").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 111:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom and the perfect example of reverent obedience. He is not merely a wise teacher, but "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God"). In Him, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom"). Jesus perfectly lived out the "fear of the LORD," demonstrating complete reverence and humble submission to the Father's will throughout His earthly ministry, even to the point of death on the cross [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). He perfectly "did His commandments," fulfilling the Law and the Prophets not by abolishing them, but by embodying their true spirit and purpose [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ has become for us "wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom"). Believers, united with Christ, are granted the Holy Spirit, who is the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation" [Ephesians 1:17](/ephesians/1-17 "Ephesians 1:17 - Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation"), enabling them to walk in the "good understanding" that comes from obeying God out of love, not fear of punishment. Thus, the praise that "endureth for ever" is ultimately magnified through Christ, who perfectly glorified the Father and through whom all creation will eternally offer praise [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Praises God and the Lamb").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.