The Beginning of Wisdom
Psalm 111 summary: what it means
Psalm 111 is praise focused on what God has done. The speaker gives thanks with his whole heart, in the council of the upright and in the congregation. Then he lists the LORD's works: they are great, full of honor and majesty, remembered, and pondered by everyone who delights in them. God is gracious and merciful. He gives food to those who fear him and always remembers his covenant.
The psalm moves from God's works to his words. His precepts are sure and established forever, and he has sent redemption to his people. The last verse draws a lesson from all of it: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and everyone who does his work has good understanding.
Psalm 111: The Beginning of Wisdom
World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-111
Psalm 111 commentary: explained verse by verse
Praise the LORD!I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,in the council of the upright, and in the congregation.
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The psalm opens with a call to praise the LORD, then a personal vow to give thanks with the whole heart. The thanks is given in public, in the council of the upright and in the congregation.
Also read Psalm 106:1, 1 Chronicles 29:10-20, Psalm 138:1, Psalm 35:18
The LORD’s works are great,pondered by all those who delight in them.
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
The LORD's works are great, and they are pondered by all who delight in them. The verse pictures God's works as something to study, not only to admire.
Also read Ephesians 2:7-10, Isaiah 40:12, Ephesians 1:19, Psalm 143:5
His work is honor and majesty.His righteousness endures forever.
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
God's work is honor and majesty, and his righteousness endures forever. The verse moves from what God does to who he is.
Also read Psalm 119:142, Psalm 112:3, Psalm 145:10-12, Revelation 5:12-14
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered.The LORD is gracious and merciful.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
God has caused his wonderful works to be remembered, so they are not lost. The verse then names his character plainly: gracious and merciful.
Also read Psalm 145:8, Exodus 13:14-15, Joshua 4:6-7, Romans 5:20-21
He has given food to those who fear him.He always remembers his covenant.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He gives food to those who fear him and always remembers his covenant. Provision and faithfulness are paired.
Also read Nehemiah 1:5, Psalm 34:9-10, Luke 1:72, Daniel 9:4
He has shown his people the power of his works,in giving them the heritage of the nations.
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
God has shown his people the power of his works by giving them the heritage of the nations. It is the psalm's clearest reference to a specific act, though it does not name it.
Also read Psalm 44:2, Psalm 105:27-45, Joshua 10:13-14, Deuteronomy 4:32-38
The works of his hands are truth and justice.All his precepts are sure.
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
The works of his hands are truth and justice, and all his precepts are sure. The psalm now joins what God does with what God commands.
Also read Revelation 15:3-4, Psalm 105:8, Psalm 93:5, 2 Timothy 2:13
They are established forever and ever.They are done in truth and uprightness.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
His precepts are established forever and ever, and done in truth and uprightness. The emphasis is on permanence.
Also read Psalm 119:127-128, Revelation 15:3, Romans 3:31, Romans 7:12
He has sent redemption to his people.He has ordained his covenant forever.His name is holy and awesome!
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
He has sent redemption to his people and ordained his covenant forever. The verse ends by calling his name holy and awesome.
Also read Isaiah 55:3, Revelation 4:8, Psalm 99:5, Isaiah 6:3
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.All those who do his work have a good understanding.His praise endures forever!
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.
After nine verses of praise, the psalm ends with a lesson: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and those who do his work have good understanding. The last words return to praise, which endures forever.
Also read 1 Corinthians 4:5, Deuteronomy 4:6, John 5:44, Proverbs 1:7
A prayer from Psalm 111
LORD, I give thanks to you with my whole heart, among your people. Your works are great, and I want to be one who ponders them and delights in them. You are gracious and merciful. You give food to those who fear you, and you always remember your covenant. The works of your hands are truth and justice, and your precepts are sure. You have sent redemption to your people, and your name is holy and awesome. Teach me the fear of the LORD, which is the beginning of wisdom, and give me a good understanding as I do what you ask. Your praise endures forever. Amen.
Psalm 111 Bible study questions
- In verse 1, where does the writer say he will give thanks, and why might it matter that this happens in company?
- In verses 2 to 9, which works of the LORD are named, and what words are used to describe them?
- Verse 2 says the LORD's works are pondered by those who delight in them: what would pondering them look like for you?
- Verse 10 calls the fear of the LORD the beginning of wisdom: what do you think it means for wisdom to begin there?
- Psalm 112:1 picks up where Psalm 111 ends, with the person who fears the LORD: how do the two psalms read side by side?
Questions about Psalm 111
What does Psalm 111 mean?
It is a song of thanks that lists the LORD's works and character, then concludes that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Who wrote Psalm 111?
The psalm has no heading and does not name its author.
What does Psalm 111:10 mean?
It says wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD, and that everyone who does his work has good understanding. It is the conclusion the psalm draws from the list of God's works before it.
What does Psalm 111:2 mean?
It says the LORD's works are great and are pondered by everyone who delights in them.
What does Psalm 111:9 mean?
It says God has sent redemption to his people and ordained his covenant forever, and calls his name holy and awesome.
How does the King James Version word Psalm 111:10?
The KJV reads "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."
Psalm 111 KJV: the King James Version
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.1
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.2
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.3
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.4
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.5
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.6
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.7
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.8
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.9
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.10
Psalm 111 in Hebrew
The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.
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1 הַ֥לְלוּ יָ֨הּ ׀ אוֹדֶ֣ה יְ֭הוָה בְּכָל־לֵבָ֑ב בְּס֖וֹד יְשָׁרִ֣ים וְעֵדָֽה׃
2 גְּ֭דֹלִים מַעֲשֵׂ֣י יְהוָ֑ה דְּ֝רוּשִׁ֗ים לְכָל־חֶפְצֵיהֶֽם׃
3 הוֹד־וְהָדָ֥ר פָּֽעֳל֑וֹ וְ֝צִדְקָת֗וֹ עֹמֶ֥דֶת לָעַֽד׃
4 זֵ֣כֶר עָ֭שָׂה לְנִפְלְאֹתָ֑יו חַנּ֖וּן וְרַח֣וּם יְהוָֽה׃
5 טֶ֭רֶף נָתַ֣ן לִֽירֵאָ֑יו יִזְכֹּ֖ר לְעוֹלָ֣ם בְּרִיתֽוֹ׃
6 כֹּ֣חַ מַ֭עֲשָׂיו הִגִּ֣יד לְעַמּ֑וֹ לָתֵ֥ת לָ֝הֶ֗ם נַחֲלַ֥ת גּוֹיִֽם׃
7 מַעֲשֵׂ֣י יָ֭דָיו אֱמֶ֣ת וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט נֶ֝אֱמָנִ֗ים כָּל־פִּקּוּדָֽיו ׃
8 סְמוּכִ֣ים לָעַ֣ד לְעוֹלָ֑ם עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת וְיָשָֽׁר׃
9 פְּד֤וּת ׀ שָׁ֘לַ֤ח לְעַמּ֗וֹ צִוָּֽה־לְעוֹלָ֥ם בְּרִית֑וֹ קָד֖וֹשׁ וְנוֹרָ֣א שְׁמֽוֹ׃
10 רֵ֘אשִׁ֤ית חָכְמָ֨ה ׀ יִרְאַ֬ת יְהוָ֗ה שֵׂ֣כֶל ט֭וֹב לְכָל־עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם תְּ֝הִלָּת֗וֹ עֹמֶ֥דֶת לָעַֽד׃
Psalm 111 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible
The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 110 there.
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1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.
3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.
4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord:
5 He hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:
6 He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.
7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment.
8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.
9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name:
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.
Psalm 111 in Latin
The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 110.
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1 Alleluja. Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo, in consilio justorum, et congregatione.
2 Magna opera Domini: exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus.
3 Confessio et magnificentia opus ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4 Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et miserator Dominus.
5 Escam dedit timentibus se; memor erit in sæculum testamenti sui.
6 Virtutem operum suorum annuntiabit populo suo,
7 ut det illis hæreditatem gentium. Opera manuum ejus veritas et judicium.
8 Fidelia omnia mandata ejus, confirmata in sæculum sæculi, facta in veritate et æquitate.
9 Redemptionem misit populo suo; mandavit in æternum testamentum suum. Sanctum et terribile nomen ejus.
10 Initium sapientiæ timor Domini; intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum: laudatio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
Printable Psalm 111: free, large print and PDF
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Psalm 111 at a glance
| Verses | 10 |
| Heading in the text | No heading |
| Attributed to | Not named in the text. Psalm 111 has no heading and opens with the words Praise the LORD, but it names no author. |
| Type | Praise and Wisdom |
| Number in Greek and Latin Bibles | Psalm 110 |
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Psalm 111 in other translations
This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 111 in those translations at Bible Gateway.
Where Psalm 111 belongs
How this page was made
The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.
Sources
- Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
- Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source