Psalm 111 · a question people ask

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (111:10). Does that mean being afraid of God?

In the text

The word is yir'ah (tap fear). Brown-Driver-Briggs gives it as "fear", and also as "fear of God, reverence, piety"; Strong's has "morally, reverence". The psalm doesn't define it, but it says what goes with it. Those who fear the LORD are given food: "He has given food to those who fear him" (111:5). And the psalm says of his name, "His name is holy and awesome!" (111:9), where awesome is nora, a form of the verb yare', fear, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives in this form as "be fearful, dreadful" and "inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe". Another verse has being afraid and his fear side by side. At Sinai, "Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin" (Exodus 20:20), where be afraid is the verb yare' and his fear is yir'ah. Psalm 111 puts the fear of the LORD first in its last verse and, in the same verse, speaks of "All those who do his work" (111:10). It doesn't say more, and these notes don't either.

The verses

“He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.”
Psalm 111:5 · World English Bible
“He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”
Psalm 111:9-10 · World English Bible
“Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.””
Exodus 20:20 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 111

Psalm 111: The LORD's works are great

In Hebrew, Psalm 111 runs through all 22 letters of the alphabet in order, from "I will give thanks" (111:1) to "His praise" (111:10). And its "redemption" (111:9) is pedut, a word the Hebrew Bible has only four times: in Egypt the WEB gives it as the "division" the LORD put between his people and Pharaoh's (Exodus 8:23).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 111

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions