Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments… I. ILLUSTRATE AND CONFIRM THE DECLARATION. By "them," or the commandments of God, we are to understand our general duty, as His reasonable creatures; whatever He hath revealed to us as His will, whether by the light of nature or His written Word. Besides living soberly, righteously, and godly, it requireth faith in Christ, love to Him, trust in Him, an humble dependence on the help of the Holy Spirit, and a compliance with the institutions of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, which are commandments of God, as being enjoined by Jesus Christ, who was a teacher sent from Him. Doing His commandments implies avoiding everything that is evil (Job 28:28). It includes also learning to do well, and practising every duty which God requiteth of us. It is not sufficient to study the commandments of God as a science, to understand their meaning and extent, and to be able to explain them with the most critical exactness. It is not sufficient to talk of them, to admire their suitableness and excellency, but we are to do them, to do them sincerely, cheerfully, and constantly, unmoved by any temptations that would lead us to neglect the observance of them. Now, they who thus do God's commandments are said to have good understandings, that is, to be wise men. 1. They understand the nature of things best, and judge rightly of their essential difference. 2. They understand the nature and will of God best. 3. They understand this world best. They consider it, not as their home and portion, but as a distant land; a school of education; a state of trial for another world. 4. They understand themselves and their own interest best. They know, and consider, that they were formed for God; for His service and honour. Therefore their first inquiry is, "Where is God my Maker?" What doth He require of me, and how is His favour to be obtained? They know, from reflecting upon their own natures, that they were not formed to scrape together the riches of earth, to indulge its pleasures, and to gratify every craving appetite. Therefore, whilst others are "cumbered about many things," their attention is fixed upon the "one thing needful." They know that "to fear God, and keep His commandments, is thewhole duty and interest of man," and therefore they do this. II. APPLY IT IN SOME USEFUL REFLECTIONS AND ADVICES. 1. Let us be thankful for the Divine commandments, which are adapted to exalt us to such dignity and felicity. 2. We may hence learn to judge, who are truly wise, and have good understandings. 3. Here is the true test of orthodoxy. There is no error or heresy so opposite to the Gospel as a wicked life. "There are many," saith Mr. Flavel, "who hate doctrinal errors, yet perish by practical ones; who hate false doctrine, yet perish by a false heart." 4. Let us all make it our great care and business to do the commandments of God. Let us study this as the most important branch of science; mind this as the great concern of human life. Here let your labour and zeal be employed. (Job Orton, D.D.). Parallel Verses KJV: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. |
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