Psalm 111 Catholic: The Fear of the Lord, Beginning of Wisdom

Psalm 111 praises God for his wonderful works: “He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: He hath given food to them that fear him.” It ends with a famous saying: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Christians have long heard in its verses the gift of the Eucharist. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 110. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.

Psalm 111 in the Douay-Rheims Bible

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.
His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.
He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord:
He hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:
He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.
That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment.
All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.
He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.

Psalm 111 or Psalm 110?

The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 110 is Psalm 111 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo, in consilio iustorum. See how many psalms are there?

What the psalm means

Praise in the assembly: “in the council of the just: and in the congregation.”
God’s works are great: full of majesty, justice and faithfulness.
A memorial of his wonders: “He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works… He hath given food to them that fear him.” The Church sees here the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ’s Passion. See Corpus Christi.
Redemption and covenant: “He hath sent redemption to his people.”
The beginning of wisdom: loving reverence for God is the root of all true wisdom. See the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

How the Church uses Psalm 111

At Evening Prayer (Vespers) on Sundays. See Vespers.
On Corpus Christi: in the traditional Breviary, Vespers of the feast used the antiphon “The merciful Lord hath given food to them that fear him.”
An acrostic: in Hebrew each half-verse begins with the next letter of the alphabet.

A prayer with Psalm 111

Written for this page:

I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart, with your faithful people.
Great are your works; you have left a memorial of your wonders.
You give food to those who fear you, the Bread of Life.
Give me the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, and keep me faithful to your covenant. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

Where is “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”?

Psalm 111:10 (110:10 in the Douay-Rheims), also found in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10.

How is Psalm 111 connected to the Eucharist?

Its verses “He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works… He hath given food to them that fear him” were sung on Corpus Christi as a prophecy of the Eucharist.

More psalms and prayers

Texts and sources

Scripture: Psalm 110 (111), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
The prayer was written for this page.