Psalm 111
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. Psalm 111 (NRSVUE)
On the dust jacket of a book, you will often find the “praise for” section where famous people or trusted organizations endorse an author’s work. Such statements of praise involve phrases like, “a triumph of unequaled power” or “sure to be one of the great works of our time.” Such praise must be ego-enhancing for the author.
But what does praise mean when we direct it toward God? At first glance it seems strange and almost petty that an all-powerful God would invite flattering words of praise. One hint that the praise of Psalm 111 is of a different order than our worldly praise comes at the end. Verse ten, “[t]he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” doesn’t seem like it belongs in a psalm of praise. But “fear” in this verse may be something more akin to “awe” or “reverence”—the kind of unsettling astonishment we feel standing at the edge of a cliff or treading water in a deep ocean. That kind of fear—the kind that compels angels to say, “be not afraid”—refashions our perspectives and generates humility. To recognize that God has orchestrated this vast universe and is infinitely greater than its wonders is an act of praise. To awaken to the knowledge that this same God approaches us in our insignificance with boundless love helps us to understand that praise is for our transformation. It is a gift to bring us into wisdom--an understanding of the infinite power of a loving God.
Questions for Reflection:
- What does praise look like and feel like to you?
- How have you understood the phrase, “the fear of the Lord”? Has your understanding shifted over time?
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you grant us the wisdom to understand your infinite power and boundless love. Make our praise an act of humility as we learn to love as you love. Amen.
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