Psalm 111

Reading for August 20, 2012      Psalm 111

The psalmist began by advising us to ponder the works of God because he wants us to reflect on our worldview. As Christians, our worldview is shaped by our relationship with God.  

How does God want His children to relate to Him? Repeatedly in the Book of Psalms, the psalmists bid the people to come into the presence of God without fear because, “My heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving” (Psalm 28:7b). Yet in Psalm 111, the psalmist writes, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom” (v. 10a). Does God expect us to be afraid of Him?

Interestingly, while the Bible contains the phrase, “Fear of the Lord,” dozens of times, it also contains an equal number of the phrase, “Do not be afraid.” God does not want His children to be afraid of Him; however God does expect His children to respect His holiness. I think the writer of the book of Hebrews put it very well:

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NRSV).

Reverence and awe describe the essence of Psalm 111. The psalmist extols God, his redeemer, healer, provider and conqueror who reigns forever. God’s virtues of glory, majesty, righteousness, graciousness, mercy, just, good, trustworthy, holy, and awe-inspiring, are also extoled in this psalm.

We can have many different views of the world, based on where we are, and what we are doing. We can have one persona when we are at home, another when we are at work, another when we are at play, and if we are religious, yet another when we worship. Pondering God from the perspective of Psalm 111 gives us an opportunity to consider that, as the children of God we should have but one persona, whether we are at home, work, play or worship: reverence and awe for our redeeming God.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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Reading for August 21, 2012      Psalm 112