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Selected Verse: Psalms 111:10 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ps 111:10 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| And hence love and fear of such a God is the chief element of true wisdom (compare Pro 1:7; Pro 9:10). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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 Sa1 25:3; Ezr 8:18; Job 17:4; Pro 3:4; Pro 13:15; Pro 16:22; "wisdom" in Ch1 22:12; Pro 12:8; Pro 23:9; "prudence," Ch2 2:12; Pro 19:11 (margin); "sense," in Neh 8:8; "knowledge," Ch2 30:22; and "policy" in Dan 8:25. It "may" denote, therefore, understanding, wisdom, knowledge, success, prudence; and it is true in regard to "all" of these - for the fear of the Lord, or true religion, produces them "all." It is not necessary, therefore, to endeavor to ascertain precisely which of these is the meaning here.
That do his commandments - Margin, as in the Hebrew, "do them." That do the things connected with the fear of the Lord; that is, who obey God.
His praise endureth for ever - That is, the foundation for his praise endures to all eternity; or, is unchangeable. As God is always the same, so there is, as derived from his being and perfections, always the same foundation for praise. As there will always be created beings who can and will appreciate this, so it will be literally true, as it should be, that his praise "will" be celebrated forever. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
fear
Also; (Psa 112:1).
(See Scofield) - (Psa 19:9). |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The fear - True religion. Beginning - Is the only foundation of, and introduction to, true wisdom. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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. |
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.