Psalms 111 and 112 are interconnected. In Psalm 111 we see a psalm calling the people of God to praise Him for the work and provision of the Lord for them. We read of His great works (v. 2); the splendor and majesty of His work and that His righteousness endures forever (v. 3); He is gracious and merciful (v. 4); He provides food for those who fear him (v 5); He remembers His covenant forever (v 5); His works are faithful and just, and his instruction is trustworthy (v 6); and in 111:10 we read:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
Psalm 111:10
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Psalm 112 dovetails with this verse by starting out with the following:
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 112:1
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
Psalm 112 speaks of the one who fears the LORD and the fruit that flows from it. The fear talked about in these psalms is not terror – but reverent love. When one meditates on the goodness of God, how He provides all that we need in this life, and how He provided His Son for our redemption – how could we NOT have reverent awe and love? Out of that reverence flows a desire to obey – to gain wisdom and understanding of His commands. We become more and more conformed to His image. Because of this, the psalmist proclaims of the one who fears and praises the Lord:
He is not afraid of bad news;
Psalm 112:7-8
his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
May we grow in our fear of the Lord and through that, grow in our wisdom, understanding, and faith.
Sola Deo Gloria.
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