Psalms 111:10 · Bible study
Psalms 111:10 Commentary: Fear of the Lord as Wisdom's Foundation
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of Psalm 111:10: how reverent fear of God grounds true wisdom, obedience yields understanding, and praise endures forever.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Reverent fear of God is the foundation and chief element of true wisdom; those who live out that fear through obedience gain genuine insight, and this leads to enduring praise.
- Key words: reshith (beginning, first, chief); yir’ah (fear, reverence); chokhmah (wisdom, skill); sekel (understanding, insight, success); tehillah (praise).
- Main debate: Whether “beginning” means temporal first step or qualitative chief part (Gill supports “chief”; most others see both aspects). Also whether “good understanding” refers to insight or practical success, and whose praise endures.
- Theological theme: The integration of reverence, ethics, and knowledge, wisdom is not abstract but lived, springing from a right relationship with God.
- Best use: As a warrant for teaching that true wisdom begins with God, for grounding ethical living in worship, and for encouraging believers that obedience brings deeper understanding.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
WEB World English Bible 2000
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that dohis commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
The beginning of wisdom is fear of Jehovah, Good understanding have all doing them, His praise is standing for ever!
Darby Darby Bible 1890
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do [his precepts]: his praise abideth for ever.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
El principio de la sabiduría es el temor de Jehová: buen entendimiento tienen cuantos ponen aquéllos por obra: su loor permanece para siempre.
O temor ao SENHOR é o princípio da sabedoria; inteligentes são todos o que isto praticam. O louvor a ele dura para sempre.
La crainte de l’ Éternel est le commencement de la sagesse;
Die Furcht des HERRN ist der Weisheit Anfang. Das ist eine feine Klugheit, wer darnach tut, des Lob bleibt ewiglich.
Resch. De vreze des HEEREN is het beginsel der wijsheid; Schin. allen, die ze doen, hebben goed verstand; Thau. Zijn lof bestaat tot in der eeuwigheid.
Il timor dell’Eterno è il principio della sapienza; buon senno hanno tutti quelli che mettono in pratica la sua legge. La sua lode dimora in perpetuo.
Początek mądrości jest bojaźń Pańska; rozumu dobrego nabywają wszyscy, którzy rozkazanie Pańskie czyną; chwała jego trwa na wieki.
Нечестивый увидит это и будет досадовать, заскрежещет зубами своими и истает. Желание нечестивых погибнет.
敬畏 耶和華 是智慧 的開端；凡 遵行 他命令的是聰明人。耶和華是永遠 當讚美的！
The fear of the Lord is the best part of wisdom: all those who keep his laws are wise: his praise is eternal.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 111:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that “the fear of Yahweh” is not a cowering terror but a reverential awe that forms the foundation of all true wisdom. Barnes and Clarke both stress that this fear springs from love and leads to departing from evil. The Cambridge Bible notes how this verse crowns the wisdom tradition of Proverbs, where “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Gill observes that the Hebrew word for “beginning” (reshith) can also mean “chief”, suggesting that fear of God is not only the first step but the central component of wisdom. All agree that such fear is inseparable from obedience: those who do God’s commandments gain a “good understanding” or “good success” (the word sekel covers both). The result is that God’s praise, or the praise of those who live this way, endures forever. This verse thus binds together reverence, action, and enduring worship.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Temporal beginning: Fear of the Lord is the first step on the path to wisdom (supported by Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). As Clarke says, 'Wisdom itself begins with this fear.'
- Chief or essential part: The Hebrew reshith can mean 'chief' as well as 'beginning.' Gill renders it as 'the chief of wisdom,' noting that fear of God is not only the start but the core of all true wisdom.
What is clear: That reverent fear of Yahweh is absolutely necessary for any genuine wisdom, and that such fear naturally expresses itself in obedience to God's commandments.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The nature of the fear of God | It is not slavish terror but reverential awe, consistent with love and trust. It leads to departing from evil and obeying God. | Some traditions emphasize the element of awe and majesty (Calvinist) while others stress the affectionate, filial aspect (Wesleyan). Both agree it excludes cringing dread. |
| 'Beginning' as temporal or qualitative | Fear of the Lord is absolutely foundational to wisdom, without it, no true wisdom exists. | Is 'beginning' (reshith) primarily temporal (the first step) or qualitative (the chief part)? Gill and others point to the latter, citing passages like Proverbs 1:7; most commentators hold both meanings are present. |
| 'Good understanding', insight or success? | The Hebrew word sekel encompasses both internal comprehension and external success. Obedience produces a well-rounded life. | Some translations favor 'good understanding' (KJV, Cambridge) while others use 'good success' (margin in ASV, Barnes). The difference is one of emphasis, not contradiction. |
| Whose praise endures forever? | The final clause points to something lasting, in contrast to the transitory nature of the wicked. | Gill notes it could be the praise of God himself (the most natural reading in context) or the praise of the person who fears God and obeys. Both readings have support from the immediate context and from parallels like Romans 2:29. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 111 is an acrostic psalm, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It opens and closes with “Hallelujah,” placing it within the Hallel collection (Psalms 113, 118) sung at major feasts, especially Passover. Keil and Delitzsch, alongside Luther, note its strong association with the deliverance from Egypt and the covenant meal, a connection early Christians saw as a type of the Eucharist. The cultural backdrop is Israel’s repeated experience of God’s mighty acts: the exodus, the conquest of Canaan, and the preservation of the covenant. The psalm recounts these deeds (vv. 2, 9) before landing on the climactic wisdom saying in v. 10. In the ancient Near East, wisdom was often tied to practical skill and successful living. Israel’s wisdom literature uniquely anchors all insight in the fear of the Lord, a personal, covenantal relationship with Yahweh. This verse stands at the end of a psalm that celebrates God’s power, truth, and redemption, showing that the proper human response is not merely awe but a life shaped by obedience. The early wisdom tradition (see Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) had already established this principle, and Psalm 111:10 restates it as the capstone of a hymn of praise. Its liturgical use would have reinforced that worship, wisdom, and ethics are inseparable.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Psalm 111:10. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the verse is quoted in later wisdom literature (e.g., Sirach 1:20) without variation. The only minor issue is the phrase “that do his commandments”, the Hebrew reads literally “doers of them” (עֹשֵׂי/הֶם), with the suffix referring back to the “fear” and “wisdom” of the first line, or possibly to God’s precepts in the broader context. The KJV and ASV supply “commandments” for clarity, which is a legitimate interpretation but not a textual variant.
Reception History
Psalm 111:10 has been central in both Jewish and Christian wisdom traditions. The early church, as noted by Keil and Delitzsch, connected the Psalm’s reference to God’s redemption and provision (v. 5) with the Eucharist, making v. 10 a fitting conclusion for worship. The verse was frequently cited by church fathers to argue that true knowledge of God begins in reverence. During the Reformation, both Luther and Calvin emphasized that the “fear of the Lord” is not terror but the beginning of saving faith. In later Protestant piety, this verse became a key text for linking personal devotion with ethical living. Jewish tradition places it alongside Proverbs 1:7 as a foundational statement about the priority of reverence in the pursuit of wisdom.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Reverent fear is the starting point: Fear of Yahweh is not terror but a humble recognition of who God is. It opens the door to every other kind of wisdom.
- Obedience unlocks understanding: Those who live out what they fear, by keeping God’s commandments, gain genuine insight. Doing comes before knowing more deeply.
- Endurance of praise: Whether God’s praise or the praise that comes to those who fear Him, the result is something lasting. A life built on this foundation does not collapse.
Five-point outline
- Fear of God is the first and most important part of wisdom.
- This fear is not slavish dread; it is reverent love that obeys.
- Obedience leads to a “good understanding”, practical success and deep insight.
- True wisdom is never abstract; it is lived in daily decisions.
- Such a life brings praise that endures, because its source is the eternal God.
Illustration hooks
- Learning a craft: A carpenter first learns to respect the tools and the material. Fear (respect) for the wood and saw is the beginning of skill. Disregard leads to mistakes.
- The student who studies the syllabus: Respect for the teacher’s authority leads a student to follow instructions. The one who follows the instructions gains understanding of the subject, not just passing the test, but truly knowing it.
- A healthy fear of the ocean: A swimmer who respects the ocean’s power learns to survive and enjoy it. Recklessness drowns. The fear that leads to wise action is the beginning of safety and pleasure.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Does fearing God mean I should be scared of Him?”
- “How can I tell if I am truly wise, or just knowledgeable?”
- “If obedience brings understanding, what about believers who struggle to understand Scripture despite trying to obey?”
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 111:10 stands as a summary of the whole psalm: God’s mighty acts call for a response of reverent awe, which then shapes every part of life. This verse challenges us to connect our reverence for God with our daily choices. As you discuss, keep in mind that “fear” here is a rich biblical term, not terror, but a profound respect that leads to trust and obedience.
Discussion questions
- Read the verse aloud. What does the word “beginning” suggest to you, is it about starting point, or something more like foundation or essence?
- Barnes says this fear is consistent with love and calmness. Does your own experience of fearing God feel that way? When has reverence felt more like dread, and why?
- The verse connects “fear of the Lord” with “doing his commandments.” Why do you think obedience is linked to understanding? Can a person have understanding without obeying?
- Look at the original word for “understanding” (sekel). It can also mean success or prudence. How does that broaden what the verse is promising?
- Verse 10 concludes with “His praise endures forever.” Whose praise? Options include: praise of God, praise of the wise person, or both. Which reading fits the psalm best, and what difference does it make?
- How does this verse challenge the common idea that wisdom is mainly intellectual knowledge?
- What is one area of your life where practicing the fear of God could lead to greater understanding or success this week?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 4:6 | Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who shall hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” |
| Joshua 1:7 | Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. |
| Joshua 1:8 | This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. |
| Job 28:28 | To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’” |
| Psalms 1:3 | He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. |
| Psalms 145:2 | Every day I will praise you. I will extol your name forever and ever. |
| Proverbs 1:7 | The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. |
| Proverbs 3:4 | So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
11 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is not merely the first step but the essential foundation of wisdom itself. He points out that the Hebrew text directly links good discernment with those who put this wisdom into action, showing that genuine understanding flows from living in reverence to God.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes insists that "the fear of the Lord" is not slavish terror but a reverent awe consistent with love and calmness, one that delivers the mind from alarm. He also notes that the Hebrew word for "understanding" in this verse can mean wisdom, prudence, success, or knowledge, and true religion produces them all.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
The excerpt examines the uncertain Jewish traditions about which psalms formed the Greater Hallel sung at Passover, then proposes a clear grouping based on the internal evidence of the Hallelujah headings. It concludes that these psalms were likely sung at the festival, celebrating deliverance from Egypt and later from Babylon.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator identifies the fear of God as the foundational principle of Israel's wisdom tradition, not merely a pious attitude. True understanding comes as the reward of obedience, linking insight directly to faithful living. The psalm ends where it began, with eternal praise rooted in God's enduring righteousness.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note ties wisdom directly to reverent obedience: those who observe God's commands gain true understanding. The praise that results from this wisdom is not temporary but endures forever, matching the character of the God who gives it.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill defines the fear of the Lord not as dread of punishment, but as reverential affection and a fear of offending so good a Being. He emphasizes that this fear is the chief or principal part of wisdom, not merely its start. He also notes that those who follow God's commandments gain good understanding and prosperity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that true wisdom consists not in fear alone but in love and fear of God together. He emphasizes that this combined response is the chief element, not merely the starting point, of genuine wisdom.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch reads Psalm 111 as a Passover psalm, linking the deeds of God it recounts specifically to the exodus deliverance and the Passover meal. They note that later Christian tradition, from Theodoret and Augustine, connected verse 5 to the Eucharist, making this psalm fitting for the Lord's Supper. The fear of God in verse 10 is the motto of wisdom literature.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights the psalm's alphabetical acrostic structure, where each line begins with a successive Hebrew letter and contains short, three-word stichs. He notes this pattern matches Psalm 112 exactly and suggests a late composition, though the precise date is uncertain. The psalm has
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry focuses on two specific ways God showed his power to Israel: giving them the land of Canaan, and sending repeated deliverances from their enemies. He sees these redemptions as types pointing forward to the great redemption Jesus would accomplish.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the fear of the Lord directly with true religion itself. For him, this fear is not merely the first step but the sole foundation of and entry into genuine wisdom. True wisdom, then, has no other source than a life of authentic faith.