Second Quarter 2003 Adult Sabbath School Lessons:
"The Forgiven"

Insights to Lesson 9: "Reverence"

May 24-30, 2003

(Produced by the Editorial Board of the 1888 Message Study Committee)

Reverence for God "in the hour of His judgment" under the proclamation of the "everlasting gospel" produces obedience in those who believe (Revelation 14:6, 7, 12). The reason to reverence God comes primarily from the revelation of God as seen (1) in His created works; (2) in His plan for our redemption; and (3) in His work of redemption. Psalm 111, from which the memory verse for this week is taken: "Holy and reverend is His name," unfolds this revelation of God and will be the focus of this Insight.

Reverend

Biblical usages of the word from which "reverend" is taken are divided into five general: (1) the emotion of fear (Deuteronomy 5:5); (2) the intellectual anticipation of evil without emphasis upon the emotional reaction (1 Samuel 21:13); (3) reverence or awe (Leviticus 19:3); (4) righteous behavior or piety (Exodus 1:17, 21); and (5) formal religious worship where some "feared" the Lord in respect to false worship, while not "fearing" the Lord in respect to righteous obedience to his law (2 Kings 17:32-34). The Amplified Bible catches some of the characteristics of the word as translated in Psalm 111:9: "holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear."

The only place in the Bible where the adjective "reverend" is found is in Psalm 111:9: "Holy and reverend is His name" (KJV, ASV). The word is associated with "holy" in describing God's name (and thus Himself). God's name defines Who and What He is (see Exodus 3:13, 14; 34:5-7). This is in contrast with its misuse today as a title and form of address by most clergy. It is commonly used as a commodity belonging to, and benefiting, men and women of the cloth. Many go beyond the word "reverend" in using other adjectives and adverbs such as "the right reverend," "the very right reverend," and "the most right reverend" to describe themselves.

The Context

Let's consider the context from which our memory verse comes. The verse in its entirety divides into three successive parts and reads as follows: "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." (Psalm 111:9).

A brief outline of the chapter reveals the larger context for reasons why we should reverence God. Reverence for Him comes from Who He is and what He does:

1. Worship God (vss. 1-2). A testimony of praise.

2. The Wonders of God (vss. 2-9).

   1. The works of creation testify to Who and what God is (vss. 2-4, 7). He is gracious, glorious, majestic, righteous, merciful, just, good, full of compassion, and trustworthy. (This is His name.)

   2. What God does (vss. 5-6, 8-9).

      1. He provides food (vs. 5).

      2. He remembers His covenant (promise) (vs. 5).

      3. He gives His people their inheritance (vs. 6).

      4. His commandments are true and last forever (vs. 7).

      5. He redeems His people (vs. 9).

      6. He decrees His covenant (vs. 9).

3. The Wisdom of God (vs. 10).

   1. The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

      1. Those who obey His law receive understanding.

Creation and Redemption

As part of the Passover Psalms, this hymn (Psalm 111) was sung especially during the Passover season. The Passover Hallel also includes Psalms 112-118. Psalm 111 is both commemorative and prophetical. It is commemorative in that it honors and preserves the memory of God's works of creation and also of His redemption of Israel from the Egyptian house of bondage. It is prophetical in that it foretells the great redemption of Christ on the cross.

This Psalm directs our attention to creation and to redemption as promised in God's everlasting covenant (vss. 2-7a). Creation and redemption are one in purpose. God created us in His image. Because of sin that image was terribly marred. Redemption is simply the carrying out of God's original plan of creation—that man should be in His image. Redemption restores within us the image of God. It takes nothing less than creative power to change us. The promise of our redemption and restoration is contained in the everlasting covenant entered into by the Godhead in heaven. This, then, is the substance of the Psalm.

The Covenant God Initiates Redemption

God "sent redemption to His people" (vs. 9). The Hebrew word for redemption used here means to buy through a ransom, or payment, as in the case of the firstborn (Numbers 3:45-51; 18:15-16). It was also used commercially in buying and selling in the market place, including the purchase of slaves (Exodus 21:7-8). This is the word used in the corporate deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage as God acted in a redemptive manner toward his people (Exodus 6:6; 15:13; Deuteronomy 7:8). These same ideas are also found in the Greek New Testament usage of the word redemption/ransom (see for example Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Matthew 20:28).

Many passages in the New Testament concerning Christ's sufferings during His life and while on the cross are represented by the idea of a ransom or price. The result secured, because of His sufferings and death, is a purchase or redemption (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; Galatians 3:13; 4:4, 5; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Revelation 5:9).

The redemption recorded in Psalm 111:9 proceeds, without deviation, directly from God to His people. He initiated it. He sent it. He commanded it forever. Redemption comes from the decree of God's everlasting covenant. "He sent redemption unto His people: He has commanded (decreed, appointed, ordained) His covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His name."

In the deliverance of Israel from Egypt God remembered His covenant promise of redemption to Abraham their father (Exodus 2:24, 25). He has now sent the same covenant promise in a higher sense under the great Deliverer, the Savior of all men, especially to those who believe (1 Timothy 4:10; Galatians 3:8, 16-18, 29). In this way God has shown that He is holy, and that He is a Being who is to be embraced in reverence, in awe, and in godly fear by His redeemed.

The conditions of the everlasting covenant, some of which we have noted in other Insights, were:

1. On the part of the Father: (a) the preparation for the incarnation of the Son for the accomplishment of His work of redemption (Hebrews 10:5; Isaiah 42:1-7); (b) His support of the Son in the work of salvation (John 8:28); and (c) the reward in the exaltation of Christ when His work is finished (Philippians 2:6-11), His installation of Jesus as Priest-King with universal dominion (John 5:22; Psalm 110:1-4), His having the administration of the covenant committed into Christ's hands (Matt. 28:18; John 1:12; 17:2; Acts 2:33), and in the final salvation of all His people (Isaiah 35:10; Titus 1:2).

2. On the part of the Son: (a) His becoming incarnate (Galatians 4:4, 5); (b) as the second Adam His representing the human race, assuming our nature, our place, and undertaking our obligations in order to acquit us (Romans 5:12-18); (c) obeying the law (Psalm 40:8; Isaiah 42:21; John 9:4, 5); and (d) exhausting its penalty which was against us (Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13).

The Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord means reverence for God: respect for His everlasting covenant, His creation, His redemption, His law, His will, His government, Himself. This fear will lead us to do right. This fear is not that of a slave; it is not mere dread; it is not terror. It is consistent with God's unconditional love, and flows from it. Reverence for God is consistent with calmness of mind, and promotes it. It does not produce terror, but rather delivers from it, and preserves the mind.

In Psalm 111:10, the word translated "fear" is a noun of the same origin as the word rendered "reverend" in verse 9. The "name of the Lord" is "reverend," and is to be regarded with the deepest respect, heartfelt deference, and esteem. This reverence for God introduces the thought that such reverence is the very foundation of wisdom.

Hear the Conclusion of This Whole Matter

The conclusion from what has gone before: seeing that the works of the Lord in creation and in redemption are glorious and wonderful (Ps. 111:3-4), and seeing that He gives to us our daily bread, and seeing that "His commandments are all sure," and that "His covenant" is eternal (vss. 5-9), it follows that faith and obedience are certain to bring God's promised blessing into our lives (Ps. 112:1). And it most certainly follows that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10).

Where the fear (reverence) of the Lord rules in the heart there will be a conscientious care to keep his commandments, not to merely give lip service concerning them, but to do them; and such have a good understanding. Their obedience is seen as the plain indication of their mind that they do indeed fear God.

God is great and greatly to be feared. This is because His name is holy, His infinite purity and rectitude appear in all that He has done in creation and in redemption. And because His name is holy it is reverend. Consequently it is to be thought of and mentioned with a holy awe. What is holy is reverend. "Holy and reverend is His Name." What inspires this reverence? The cross of Christ.

Read the study notes for lesson 10