Psalms 111:10
in Psalms 111The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
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.
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This verse in Psalms 111
Commentary
19 notes on this verseI think I shall not seem to be taking too much on myself, if, in the midst of my children, I yield to my desire to teach, seeing that the master of humility himself has said, "Come, you children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Therein one may observe both the humility and the grace of his reverence for God. For in saying "the fear of the Lord," which seems to be common to all, he has described the chief mark of reverence for God.
This site's exposition
the beginning of wisdom
Wisdom starts with the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 9:10 says it in the same words, and Job 28:28 calls that fear wisdom itself. Understanding comes to those who follow His precepts, and the psalm closes on praise that endures forever.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
A commentator
Desert FathersThe Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks · Written before 500.
proposed
He also said, 'The beginning and the end is the fear of the Lord. For it is written, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps. 111:10) and, when Abraham built an altar the Lord said to him, "Now I know that …
..."The fear of the Lord," therefore, "is the beginning of wisdom." "Understanding is good" [Psalm 111:10]. Who gainsayeth? But to understand, and not to do, is dangerous. It is "good," therefore, "to those that do there after." Nor let it lift up the mind unto pride; for, "the praise of Him," the fear of whom is the beginning of wisdom, "endureth for ever:" and this will be the reward, this the end, this the everlasting station and abode. There are found the true commandments, made fast for ever and ever; here is the very heritage of the New Covenant commanded for ever. "One thing," he saith, "I have desired of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." For, "blessed are they that dwell in the house" of the Lord: "they will be alway praising" Him; for "His praise endureth for ever."
No one accomplishes these ten commandments by their own strength, unless assisted by the grace of God. If therefore no one fulfills the law by their own strength, unless God aids with His Spirit; now recall how the Holy Spirit is commended in the sevenfold number, just as the holy prophet says, that the man be filled with the Spirit of God, of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, the Spirit of the fear of God. These seven operations commend the Holy Spirit in the sevenfold number, who, as if descending to us, begins with wisdom and ends with fear. But we, ascending, begin with fear and are perfected in wisdom. For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
A commentator
Philoxenus of Mabbug13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 7 -- Second Discourse on the Fear of God · Written before 523.
proposed
And again he said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Now the end of the path of good works is spiritual love, therefore from love divine wisdom is produced, and the blessed David well taught us that the beginning of this …
It has also been a subject of discussion, how extremely frequent is the intercourse that heretics hold with magicians, with charlatans, with astrologers, with philosophers; and the reason is that they are people who devote themselves to curious questions. "Seek, and you shall find," is everywhere in their minds. Thus, from the very nature of their conduct may be estimated the quality of their faith. In their discipline we have an index of their doctrine. They say that God is not to be feared; therefore all things are in their view free and unchecked. Where, however, is God not feared, except where he is not, there truth also is not. Where there is no truth, then, naturally enough, there is also such a discipline as the heretics. But where God is, there exists "the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom." Where the fear of God is, there is seriousness, an honorable and yet thoughtful diligence, as well as an anxious carefulness and a well-considered admission [to the sacred ministry], a safely guarded communion, promotion after good service, a scrupulous submission [to authority], a devout attendance, a modest gait, a united church and God in all things.
12 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers3 voices
A commentator
Gregory of NazianzusON HIS FATHER'S SILENCE, ORATION 16:3 · Written before 390.
proposed
Fairer in my eyes is the beauty that we can gaze on than that which is painted in words; of more value the wealth that our hands can hold, than that which is imagined in our dreams; and more real the wisdom of which we are convinced by deeds, than that which is set forth in splendid language. For "a good understanding," he said, "have all they who act accordingly," not they who proclaim it. Time is the best touchstone of this wisdom, and "the gray head is a crown of glory."
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who do not fear the Lord have no wisdom in them: or those who have no wisdom have no fear.
His praise endures unto the age of the age. Since in the title "alleluia" was written beforehand, rightly does the psalm end in praise: for indeed "alleluia" is interpreted, Praise the Lord.
The Medieval Church3 voices
A commentator
BonaventureCollationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
"Holy and terrible is his name; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all who practice it." Prudential understanding teaches what is to be avoided, namely every evil. For every person who wishes to be directed toward the …
A commentator
Bernard of ClairvauxSermons on the Song of Songs, Sermon 37 · Written before 1153.
proposed
No one is saved without knowledge of himself, from which indeed the mother of salvation, humility, arises, and the fear of the Lord, which itself, just as it is the beginning of wisdom, so also is the beginning of salvation. No one, I say, is …
A commentator
BonaventureCollationes de Septem Donis, Collation 2 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
The fear of God avails for obtaining the illumination of divine wisdom, because "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." For the fear of the Lord is the extrinsic principle of wisdom and the intrinsic principle and the complement of wisdom; because …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the L ORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — scripture-overlap:96%@v3-5
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,....
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is its first principle, but it is also its head and chief attainment. The word "beginning" in Scripture sometimes means the chief; and true religion is at once the first element of wisdom, and its chief fruit. To know God so as to walk aright before him is the greatest of all the applied sciences. Holy reverence of God leads us to praise him, and this is the point which the psalm drives at, for it is a wise act on the part of a creature towards his Creator.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is its first principle, but it is also its head and chief attainment. The word "beginning" in Scripture sometimes means the chief; and true religion is at once the first element of wisdom, and its chief fruit. To know God so as to walk aright before him is the greatest of all the applied sciences. Holy reverence of God leads us to praise him, and this is the point which the psalm drives at, for it is a wise act on the part of a creature towards his Creator. A good understanding have all they that do his commandments. Obedience to God proves that our judgment is sound. Why should he not be obeyed? Does not reason itself claim obedience for the Lord of all? Only a man void of understanding will ever justify rebellion against the holy God. Practical godliness is the test of wisdom. Men may know and be very orthodox, they may talk and be very eloquent, they may speculate and be very profound; but the best proof of their intelligence must be found in their actually doing the will of the Lord. The former part of the psalm taught us the doctrine of God's nature and character, by describing his works: the second part supplies the practical lesson by drawing the inference that to worship and obey him is the dictate of true wisdom. We joyfully own that it is so. His praise endureth for ever. The praises of God will never cease, because his works will always excite adoration, and it will always be the wisdom of men to extol their glorious Lord. Some regard this sentence as referring to those who fear the Lord—their praise shall endure for ever: and, indeed, it is true that those who lead obedient lives shall obtain honour of the Lord, and commendations which will abide for ever. A word of approbation from the mouth of God will be a mede of honour which will outshine all the decorations which kings and emperors can bestow.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - The original stands thus: ראשית חכמה יראת יהוה reshith chokmah, yirath Yehovah, The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah. Wisdom itself begins with this fear; true wisdom has this for its commencement. It is the first ingredient in it, and is an essential part of it. In vain does any man pretend to be wise who does not fear the Lord; and he who fears the Lord departs from evil: he who lives in sin neither fears God, nor is wise. A good understanding have all they that do his commandments - These last words we add as necessary to make up the sense; but there is no need of this expedient, as the words of the original literally read thus: “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah; good discernment to the doers.” That is, They who act according to the dictates of wisdom, the commencement of which is the fear of Jehovah, have a sound understanding, discern their duty and their interest, and live to secure their own peace, their neighbour’s good, and God’s glory.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
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 word rendered “reverend” in the previous verse. The suggestion to the mind of the psalmist that the “name of the Lord” was “reverend,” or was to be venerated, introduced this thought that such reverence is the very foundation of wisdom. Is the beginning of wisdom - The foundation, the origin, the commencement of being truly wise. It is so. There is no true wisdom which does not recognize the being, the perfections, and the claims of God. The highest wisdom - the most lofty endowment of man - is that he “may” know and honor God. This, in capability, makes him wise above the brute creation; this, in exercise, makes one man more wise than another; this, when it springs up in the soul, makes a man more wise than he was before - or, is the “beginning” of true wisdom in the soul. Compare Pro 1:7; Pro 9:10; Deu 4:6; Job 28:28; Ecc 12:13. A good understanding ... - Margin, “good success.” The original word - שׂכל śêkel - is rendered “understanding” (as here) in 1Sa 25:3; Ezr 8:18; Job 17:4; Pro 3:4; Pro 13:15; Pro 16:22; “wisdom” in 1Ch 22:12; Pro 12:8; Pro 23:9; “prudence,” 2Ch 2:12; Pro 19:11 (margin); “sense,” in Neh 8:8; “knowledge,” 2Ch 30:22; and “policy” in Dan 8:25. […]
The words behind it
11 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| רֵ֘אשִׁ֤ית | reshit | [is the] beginning of | H7225 → | 51 times |
| חָכְמָ֨ה׀ | chokhmah | wisdom | H2451 → | 153 times |
| יִרְאַ֬ת | yirat | [the] fear of | H3374 → | 45 times |
| יְהוָ֗ה | yahweh | Yahweh | H3068 → | 6520 times |
| שֵׂ֣כֶל | sekhel | an understanding | H7922 → | |
| ט֭וֹב | tov | good | H2896 → | 538 times |
| לְכָל־ | lekhol | [belongs] to all | H3605 → | 5413 times |
| עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם | ʾoseihem | [those who] do them | H6213 → | 2628 times |
| תְּ֝הִלָּת֗וֹ | tehilato | praise his | H8416 → | 56 times |
| עֹמֶ֥דֶת | ʾomedet | [is] enduring | H5975 → | 521 times |
| לָעַֽד׃ | laad | for ever | H5703 → | 49 times |
רֵ֘אשִׁ֤ית[is the] beginning of
reshitH7225 →51 times
חָכְמָ֨ה׀wisdom
chokhmahH2451 →153 times
יִרְאַ֬ת[the] fear of
yiratH3374 →45 times
יְהוָ֗הYahweh
yahwehH3068 →6520 times
שֵׂ֣כֶלan understanding
sekhelH7922 →
ט֭וֹבgood
tovH2896 →538 times
לְכָל־[belongs] to all
lekholH3605 →5413 times
עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם[those who] do them
ʾoseihemH6213 →2628 times
תְּ֝הִלָּת֗וֹpraise his
tehilatoH8416 →56 times
עֹמֶ֥דֶת[is] enduring
ʾomedetH5975 →521 times
לָעַֽד׃for ever
laadH5703 →49 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
it leads to
- Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Reached by 4 separate paths from here.
- 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.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
- Job 28:28
Through
Proverbs 9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
it leads to
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 1:7
Through
Ecclesiastes 12:13When 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.
it leads to
- Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your…
- Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
- Deuteronomy 6:2
so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that…
- Deuteronomy 10:12
Where this verse is studied
By subject
Wisdom35 verses
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About Psalms
This page draws on 17 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrose of Milan, On the Duties of the Clergy 1.1; Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 111; Augustine of Hippo, SERMON 248:5; Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons on the Song of Songs, Sermon 37; Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8; Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 2; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 5; Desert Fathers, The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms; Gregory of Nazianzus, ON HIS FATHER'S SILENCE, ORATION 16:3; Jerome, Homily 37, on Psalm 110; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Philoxenus of Mabbug, 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 7 -- Second Discourse on the Fear of God and Tertullian, PRESCRIPTIONS AGAINST HERETICS 43.