The Beginning of Wisdom

This Sunday's Psalm 111, "Confitebor tibi", gives thanks and praise to God for all that he has given his people in the past and the legacy that He has left for future generations, but there is one verse that seems to be out of place. Let's see if you can spot it,

1 Hallelujah!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, *

in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the deeds of the Lord! *

they are studied by all who delight in them.

3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, *

and his righteousness endures for ever.

4 He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *

the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He gives food to those who fear him; *

he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works *

in giving them the lands of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *

all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *

because they are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption to his people;

he commanded his covenant for ever; *

holy and awesome is his Name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *

those who act accordingly have a good understanding;

his praise endures for ever.

My attention was drawn to verse 10. In part because it is so familiar to me, and in part because it seems to interrupt the psalmist's recitation of God's gifts to us.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" is also to be found in Job and Proverbs,

"And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'" Job 28:28

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

Twenty-three more related verses to the fear of the Lord and wisdom can be found at the "Knowing Jesus" pages.

I was reminded this week of Adam's sin of trying to gain the wisdom of God by eating of the forbidden fruit. We can never attain the fullness of God's wisdom in this life, but at least we have been given a beginning. The last of God's gifts that the Psalmist recites actually comes from the beginning of mankind. It is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of the Lord, a remarkable gift, and something Adam only discovered in his shame after he tried to grab the entirety of God's wisdom in one bite.

So maybe it is not so out of place after all.