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Illustration for Psalm 111: Praise for God's Works

Psalm 111

Praise for God's Works

PraiseJoyWisdom

God's works are magnificent and studied by all who delight in them! He provides food, keeps His promises, and has sent redemption to His people. This psalm ends with a wonderful truth: the beginning of wisdom is to respect and honor God.

  1. 1Hallelujah! I will praise the LORD with all my heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
  2. 2Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
  3. 3Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever.
  4. 4He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
  5. 5He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
  6. 6He has shown His people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations.
  7. 7The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy.
  8. 8They are established forever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
  9. 9He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever— holy and awesome is His name.
  10. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.

What it means

This psalm says the beginning of wisdom is to respect and honor God. Not being clever, not knowing lots of facts — starting in the right place. Everything sensible you will ever learn is built on that foundation.

A little prayer

God, everything You do is wonderful, and You always keep Your promises. I want to be truly wise, so I am starting where wisdom starts — with respecting and loving You. Amen.

Memory verse

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.”

Psalm 111:10 (BSB)

It calls awe the starting point of wisdom, not the end of it.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. The psalm says God's works are studied by everyone who delights in them. What do you enjoy learning about?
  2. It says the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. What kind of fear is that — scared, or something else?
  3. It says God provides food and keeps promises, in the same list. Why put those together?
  4. What is something you would like to understand better?

Try this

Study something

Pick one small thing — a leaf, a shell, an insect — and study it for fifteen minutes. Write down five things you did not know before. Read verse 2.

You will need: One small natural object and a magnifying glass if you have one.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)