Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Many times in scripture we are told not to fear. Fear can be crippling and debilitating. But our text today encourages us to fear…to fear the Lord. The word “fear” means “reverence.” If we will have a healthy reverence for God, this, we are told, is the beginning of wisdom. The word “beginning” means “opening.” Wisdom begins to open, be revealed to us when we choose the reverence of God.
Yesterday and today’s Psalm, Psalm 34, addresses the reverence of God. Those who have it according to verse 7 will be blessed by the angel of the Lord surrounding them. Verse 9 says there is no “want,” meaning deficiency, lack, or poverty to those who reverence Yahweh.
Finally, today’s reading in Psalm 34 invites us to be taught about the fear of the Lord in verse 11. It is followed by doing three things:
1. Keep your tongue from evil.
2. Depart from evil and do good.
3. Seek peace and pursue it.
If we will do these things we will be choosing the reverence of Yahweh and we will enjoy a long and full life (v.12)