Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments… I. EXPLAIN THE TEXT. 1. By "the fear of the Lord," you are to understand, not merely one affection of our minds towards God; but, piety in general, the service of God, and the devotion of the heart to Him. 2. "Wisdom," in the Scripture sense, is a virtue which makes a man not only skilful and intelligent, but also good and virtuous. It consists, not so much in knowledge, as in practice. 3. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This may signify, either that it is first in order of time — the rudiment, the foundation of wisdom; or first in point of dignity — the principal, or chief part of wisdom. 4. "A good understanding have all they that do thereafter;" i.e. they are truly wise, and best consult their own interests, both in this and the next world, who do such things as belong to the fear of the Lord. II. ILLUSTRATE AND CONFIRM THE TRUTH OF THE TEXT THUS EXPLAINED: showing, that to practise those duties, in which the fear of God consists, is to be really wise; that it is acting agreeably to our reason, and our interests. 1. Religion alone teaches what is the supreme good of man; concerning the nature of which the philosophers so much erred. It is religion that points out to us an end most excellent, most worthy of our efforts, and of such inestimable value, as to overpay all our labours in the attainment of it: and that end is, — to enjoy eternal, uninterrupted happiness, in the presence of God. 2. Religion not only shows this admirable end to us; but also teaches the means to be used by us for attaining to it; namely, faith and obedience, prayer and thanksgiving; which constitute our religious duty. (S. Partridge, M.A.) 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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