111:1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole
heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
111:2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in
them.
111:3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness
endures forever.
111:4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is
gracious and merciful.
111:5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of
his covenant.
111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them
the heritage of the nations.
111:7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts
are trustworthy.
111:8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with
faithfulness and uprightness.
111:9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his
covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those
who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures
forever.
Given the incidents of this morning, I wonder what this psalm says
to us. I am not saying that "God had anything to do with this", but
the last verse of the mystery and magisty of God which drives us to
awe. I wonder what others are thinking.
Shalom pasthersyl
pasthersyl,
I don't see the use of this Psalm as a dangerous thing this day. It
fits very well with the promise of the gospel, that no matter what
happens, even if we were to die in a tragic accident ourselves, this
will not separate us from God's power, since God can still save.
Michelle
I find the word "fear" used many times in this psalm. In what way
should we "fear" the Lord... The gospels preach love not fear.
Perhaps the greek for this word fear is different. Or is the degree
of fear different. Fear Factor, plays on peoples in hearendt fear of
the known phobias of life, but inherently the contestents know that
there are safety nets. Is Christ just a safety net? Or do we fully
embrace him and his way of life in ours. A safty net has ropes and
is secured. Are our saftey nets safely fastened by faith. Do we do a
safty check of our lives? Early thought. Triggered by 111:10 Nancy-Wi
I think in Barclay it says fear translates as awe...being in awe of
God. and that wisdom is understanding. To be in awe of God is to
begin to understand. Wow! That seems like a wonderful truth to me!
sms
I wondered now what I was writing about on 2/1/03. It took me a
while to remember. That was informative to me. Verse 111:10 says
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," I was reacting to
what humanity was calling "Shock and Awe." and was turned off by
that warfare. But how fast I forgot what it was. However, since
early childhood, "The fear (awe) of the Lord has been my counsel,
and I seem never to forget that, even in my worst days. I guess as I
have retired, I'm at the beginning of wisdom.
Shalom
bammamma (formerly pasthersyl)
Thanks for the "Shock and Awe" reminder. I couldn't remember what
was happenning 2/1/2003 either. I think I may use the comparison of
the "world's" use of Awe as Tremendous Violence versus the Awe of
God, particularly in the Cross.
JLM in Detroit
