Psalm 111:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 111:10

The fear of the Lord - Reverence for God; respect for his law, his will, his government, himself; the fear of offending him, which will lead us to do right. This fear is not that of a slave; it is not mere dread; it is not terror. It is consistent with love, and springs from it. It is consistent with calmness of mind, and promotes it. It does not produce terror, but rather delivers from it, and preserves the mind from alarms. The word here rendered “fear” is a noun of the same origin as the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 111:10

Psalms 111:10. The fear of the Lord That is, piety, or true religion, which consists in the fear, or worship and service of God; is the beginning of wisdom Is the only foundation of, and introduction to, all true wisdom: or, is the chief part, the first and principal point of wisdom. A good understanding have all they that do his commandments That conscientiously walk according to them; for the practice of them, as Bishop Patrick observes, “gives men a better understanding of what is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 111:1-10

Psalms 111-112 God and his godly peopleEqual in length and similar in form, these two psalms can be read as a pair. Both are acrostics (see note preceding Psalms 9:0). The former considers the greatness of God, the latter the character of his godly people.God’s wonderful works, both in creation and in history, are a cause for praise by all his worshipping people (111:1-3). In his sovereign power he took the agriculturally productive land of Canaan from its heathen inhabitants and gave it to the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 111:10

fear = reverence. beginning. Not wisdom itself, or its end, but only the beginning of it. See notes on Job 28:28 . Proverbs 1:7 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 111:10

Psalms 111:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning— Or, as the original word ראשׁית reishith also signifies the first, the principal point. A good understanding have all they, &c. That is, "it is the surest mark of a good judgment, to apply one's self to the strict observance of God's commandments:" or, according to the original, A good understanding have all they that do it; i.e. who constantly observe this wisdom, this fear of the Lord: this will give them a better understanding of what... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 111:10

10. And hence love and fear of such a God is the chief element of true wisdom (compare Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 111:1-10

Psalms 111This is one of the acrostic psalms (cf. Psalms 9, 10; Psalms 25; Psalms 34; Psalms 37; Psalms 112; Psalms 119; Psalms , 145). Each successive line in the Hebrew text begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The writer evidently expressed his thoughts this way so the Israelites could memorize and recite the psalm easily. He recounted the Lord’s great works of redemption that should draw out His people’s praise."Acrostic poems in general do not show logical development... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 111:10

3. Concluding wisdom 111:10The writer may have quoted Job 28:28, Proverbs 1:7 or Psalms 9:10, or Ecclesiastes 12:13."This famous saying is virtually the motto of the Wisdom writers, where its truth appears in various forms . . ." [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 398.] In view of God’s great acts and faithfulness, fearing Him is the better part of wisdom. Obedience expresses reverential trust. Continuing worship is also appropriate. Some interpreters take the last clause as a prayer rather than... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 111:1-10

Psalms 111, 112 are closely connected both in form and substance, and are apparently the work of one author. They are alphabetical (see Intro.). A liturgical introduction is prefixed to both, viz. ’Praise ye the Lord’: in Hebrew ’Hallelujah.’ The theme of Psalms 111 is the refrain of Psalms 107, ’Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.’ The Ps. is used on Easter Day.1. Assembly] RV ’council’; the word means, ’a secret gathering.’5.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 111:10

(10) A good understanding . . .—Better, a good estimation have all they that do them. The parallelism here, as the context of Proverbs 3:4, decides for this rendering against that of the margin, “a good success.” Not only is piety the beginning of wisdom, but righteousness wins good esteem. For by his praise we must certainly understand the praise of the good man. read more

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