Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wonders to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are trustworthy. They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever. Psalms 111:2-10 NASB

Psalm 111 does not present the fear of the Lord as arising from some arbitrary divine power or mere dread. Rather, it arises from contemplating who God is. His moral perfection (righteousness, justice, holiness), His mighty acts (wonders), and His transcendent majesty (awesomeness) together evoke reverent fear. As one comes to understand His attributes more clearly, reverence deepens naturally to the obvious and only conclusion. Fear of the Lord is not some spine-chilling terror, but a reverent awe and respect for the majesty of God. It is the starting point of true knowledge and wisdom.

The Psalm makes evident that the fear of the Lord is not a single emotional response but the cumulative effect of seeing God rightly. The fear of the Lord is the proper response of a heart that has begun to see God as He truly is. The Fear of the Lord means taking God seriously, fearing His just judgment and holding Him in the utmost regard. It includes reverential awe and worship of Him, a worship based in reverent fear, love, and trust.