This morning, July 13, 2023, as I completed the daily Bible readings from the Book of Psalms, we began reading the opening chapters of Proverbs, reflecting upon wisdom as revealed in the Book of Proverbs. Often, as I begin my day with such a period of meditation and reflection, I will be inspired to compose a poetic expression that I incorporate into a blog entry such as this.
Despite the sweet savor of past victories that we desire to linger forever or the bitter aftertaste of former times of seeming defeat that we seek to forget, each day unfolds as a new beginning, an opportunity to make a fresh start. How do we begin? We go back to the beginning. As we reflect upon wisdom, so brilliantly displayed in the Book of Proverbs, we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” poetically expressed in this original psalm:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in Your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
Here stand Your people, those set apart and destined to walk upright,
Your beloved ones, whose hearts Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
A perfect accompaniment of this psalm is the worship song “The Fear of the Lord” by Tommy Walker, another dose of “Good Medicine” from the shelves of Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe.
Throughout the Old Testament, we find numerous references to “the fear of the Lord.” The scripture posted on the homepage of Logos Bible Software on July 21, 2019, comes from Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 9:10 makes a similar declaration:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
Here is a dramatic graphic rendering of Proverbs 9:10:
Psalm 111:10 also mentions the term:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding
The expression thus connects with three primary virtues: “knowledge,” “wisdom,” and “understanding.”
Although many Bible teachers tend to emphasize synonyms, such as “respect,” “reverence,” and “honor,” the term also suggests a deep, serious recognition of someone who “is awesome in power” and who should be looked upon with “fear and trembling” as Psalm 2:11 indicates:
Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Another reference from Psalm 19:9 teaches us regarding this vital concept:
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
Solomon, in his wisdom, settles the whole discussion regarding humanity and God:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
In Romans, Paul discusses the sinful nature of humanity:
Romans 3:10-12:
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
He concludes by saying,
Romans 3:17-18:
17 They don’t know where to find peace.” 18 “They have no fear of God at all.”
Once again, the Psalmist concurs regarding those enemies who fought against him:
Psalm 55:19:
God will hear and humble them, Even He who sits enthroned from old— Selah. Because in them there has been no change [of heart], And they do not fear God [at all].
Both Proverbs 9:10 and Psalm 19:9 form the introduction to this poem:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As you search the earth, may we find grace in your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
We stand perfected offspring destined to walk upright,
Beloved ones, whose heart Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
Tommy Walker offers this song of worship: “The Fear of the Lord”
A recent blog post discussed the indescribable vastness of God, the creator of the universe as revealed in the final section of Romans 11 which is designated as a doxology or hymn of praise. The Verse of the Day for May 17, 2018 is opening verse of this passage found in Romans 11:33-36 in the New International Version:
[Doxology] Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it would be paid back to him? 36 For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.
God is to be praised and glorified, for He is the fountain of all wisdom and life-source of all knowledge. Because of the frailty of our flesh, we acknowledge our need for the wisdom of God and the knowledge of God to fulfill His will in our lives.
The passage from Romans 11:33-36 brings to mind the relationship between the wisdom and knowledge of God:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in Your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
Here we stand perfected and destined to walk upright,
Your beloved ones, whose heart Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
We concludes with Romans 11:33-36 Song “Oh, The Depths of the Riches” (Christian Praise Worship w/ Lyrics)
Proverbs 9:10 in the Amplified Bible, the Verse of the Day for October 24, 2017, makes a bold statement regarding the origin of wisdom:
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
The word “beginning,” transports us to the first verse in the Bible:
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Proverbs 8:23 in the Amplified Bible brings to our attention that even before the beginning spoken of Genesis 1:2, the wisdom of God was on the scene:
From everlasting I was established and ordained, From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].
If wisdom existed before the beginning, what is origin or the beginning of wisdom? Once again, the answer comes from Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
The Psalmist adds to the discussion with these enlightening words:
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.
The message regarding the origin of wisdom expressed in the Verse of the Day is reinforced and augmented in Proverbs 1:7[Amplified Bible]:
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
In order to comprehend more fully the essence of wisdom, we must go back to the beginning.
As we reflect upon wisdom, so brilliantly displayed in the Book of Proverbs and elsewhere, we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” poetically expressed in this manner:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Psalm 19:9 (AMP)
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 (AMP)
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As you search the earth, may we find grace in your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
We stand perfected offspring destined to walk upright,
Beloved ones, whose heart Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
As we attempt to apprehend to at greater degree the magnitude of God and His infinite power and glory, we speak of the fear of the Lord. We stand in absolute awe, in wonder, and amazement. Recognizing both an awareness of terror and dread, we tremble in light of our coming up short and perpetually missing the mark. At the same time we are aware of the reverence, respect, and honor that God Almighty rightfully deserves, knowing that He loves us, and His unconditional love casts out all fear.
We rejoice with the Psalmist who declares:
Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever” (Psalm 118:4).
The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love (Psalm 147:11).
A perfect musical accompaniment to this entry is the song “The Perfect Wisdom of Our God.”
“We Choose the Fear of the Lord” by the Maranatha Music also relates to the beginning of wisdom.
Revised and re-posted, the following entry examines the Verse of the Day for October 24, 2016, which makes a bold statement regarding the origin of wisdom found in Proverbs 9:10 graphically illustrated in this dramatic way:
Proverbs 9:10 (NLT):
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
The Amplified Bible offers this:
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
When we hear the word “beginning,” we recall the first verse of the Bible that transports us to the place where life began:
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Proverbs 8:23 in the Amplified Bible brings to our attention that even before the beginning spoken of Genesis 1:1, the wisdom of God was on the scene:
From everlasting I was established and ordained, From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].
If wisdom existed before the beginning, what is origin or the beginning of wisdom? Once again, the answer comes from Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7 (AMP)
The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
The Psalmist adds to the discussion with these enlightening words:
Psalm 111:10 (AMP)
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.
The message regarding the origin of wisdom expressed in the Verse of the Day is reinforced and augmented in Proverbs 1:7 (AMP):
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
Thus, we see that in order to comprehend more fully the essence of wisdom, we must go back to the beginning.
As we reflect upon wisdom, so brilliantly displayed in the Book of Proverbs and elsewhere, we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” poetically expressed in this manner:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Psalm 19:9 (AMP)
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of
Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 (AMP)
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As you search the earth, may we find grace in your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
We stand as perfected ones destined to walk upright,
Your Beloved, whose hearts Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
A perfect musical accompaniment to this blog entry is the song “The Perfect Wisdom of Our God.”
“We Choose the Fear of the Lord” by the Maranatha Music also relates to the beginning of wisdom.
The Verse of the Day for October 12, 2016 offers sound advice taken from Proverbs 1:8-9 (NLT):
[A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom] My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
The Book of Proverbs reveals Solomon’s advice to his son and to all who would desire to walk as the wise. This repository of words is a treasure house to those seeking to acquire and apply the principles of wisdom. Each day unfolds as a new beginning, an opportunity to make a fresh start in our quest to lay hold on wisdom, for we recognize this truth in Proverbs 4:7 (NLT):
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
How do we begin? We go back to the beginning where we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” according to Proverbs 9:10 which is graphically illustrated in this dramatic way:
This foundational principle is also poetically expressed:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
Here we stand perfected, those destined to walk upright,
As Your beloved, whose hearts Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
A perfect accompaniment to today’s post is the worship song “We Choose the Fear of the Lord” by Maranatha Music.
From James 3:17-18 in the Amplified Bible comes the Verse of the Day for May 19, 2016:
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals.
This passage from the Book of James brought to mind a previously posted collection of blog entries entitled “Words of Wisdom”—a daily dose of “words to the wise.” Here is an excerpt and a poem related to wisdom:
Despite the sweet savor of past victories that we desire to linger forever or the bitter aftertaste of former times of seeming defeat that we seek to forget, each day unfolds as a new beginning, an opportunity to make a fresh start. How do we begin? We go back to the beginning. As we reflect upon wisdom, we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” (Proverbs 9:10). Here is a dramatic, graphic rendering of the verse:
Psalm 19:9 also opens with “the fear of the Lord.” Both verses introduce this poem:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new,
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
Here we stand mature, as those destined to walk upright,
As beloved ones, whose heart Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
A perfect accompaniment of this blog entry is the worship song “We Choose the Fear of the Lord” by Maranatha Music.
Take one day at a time, seeking God’s direction and guidance each day. In light of the previous Verse of the Day which reminds us to number our days, as we apply our hearts unto wisdom, The Verse of the Day for January 3, 2016 shows us what we should deny or reject and what we should embrace.
Titus 2:11-12 (NLT)
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
This passage brings to mind How Should We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, the historical documentary film series and book by theologian Francis A. Schaeffer. Originally published in 1976, the series presents Schaeffer’s view that when we base society on the Bible, on the infinite-personal God who is there and has spoken, this provides an absolute by which we can conduct our lives and by which we can judge society. This leads to what Schaeffer calls “Freedom without chaos.”
In response to the question raised by the title of the celebrate work by Schaeffer, “How should we then live?” Titus 2:12 clearly proclaims:
We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God
If we are to live meaningful lives that make a difference and impact the world in a positive way, we must understand the importance of these three vital character traits:
Wisdom
In our efforts to live lives that are pleasing in God’s sight, wisdom is essential. James 1:5 (NLT) exhorts us regarding this notable virtue:
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
As a kind of golden thread that is woven throughout the Book of Proverbs, Solomon’s advice to his son provides a priceless resource for seeking and applying the principles of wisdom. We are encouraged to pursue wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Righteousness:
“Righteousness” is an essential aspect of our identity as Christian believers. 1 Corinthians 1:30 makes known this truth:
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Righteousness is one of those divine attributes of God imparted unto us through Christ. Think of it as being in a right relationship with the Creator, our gracious Father. We are “all right” with God, and God is “all right” with us. We abide in a state of righteousness, not our own which is “as filthy rags” but in the righteousness of God.
Devotion:
Devotion in a spiritual context is said to be wholehearted commitment to God. The people of God are encouraged to demonstrate such commitment and dedication. Often devotion is expressed in terms of prayer or worship or some other evidence of godly behavior. Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the Temple makes this statement:
“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. (1 Kings 8:23)
While reflecting upon the Verse of the Day, I thought of a poem that speaks directly of wisdom and makes reference to “Christ, our righteousness,” and ends with the phrase “the fear of the Lord,” which is connected to devotion:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in Your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
Here we stand perfected and destined to walk upright,
Your beloved ones, whose heart Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
We close with the Scripture Memory Song: Titus 2:11-12:
Proverbs 9:10 in the Amplified Bible, the Verse of the Day for October 24, 2014, makes a bold statement regarding the origin of wisdom:
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
When I hear the word “beginning,” I recall the first verse of the Bible that transports us to place where life began:
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Proverbs 8:23 in the Amplified Bible brings to our attention that even before the beginning spoken of Genesis 1:2, the wisdom of God was on the scene:
From everlasting I was established and ordained, From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].
If wisdom existed before the beginning, what is origin or the beginning of wisdom? Once again, the answer comes from Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified Bible)
The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
The Psalmist adds to the discussion with these enlightening words:
Psalm 111:10 [Amplified Bible]
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.
The message regarding the origin of wisdom expressed in the Verse of the Day is reinforced and augmented in Proverbs 1:7[Amplified Bible]:
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
In order to comprehend more fully the essence of wisdom, we must go back to the beginning.
As we reflect upon wisdom, so brilliantly displayed in the Book of Proverbs and elsewhere, we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” poetically expressed in this manner:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Psalm 19:9 (AMP)
The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 (AMP)
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in Your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
We stand as perfected, ones destined to walk upright,
Beloved ones, whose heart Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
A perfect musical accompaniment to this blog entry is the song “The Perfect Wisdom of Our God.”
“We Choose the Fear of the Lord” by the Maranatha Music also relates to the beginning of wisdom.
The Verse of the Day for October 12, 2015 comes from Proverbs 1:8-9 in the New Living Translation:
[A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom] My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.
The Book of Proverbs offers sound advice directed toward a son who is instructed to acquire or lay hold of wisdom. The opening passage from this Book of Wisdom brings to mind the origin of wisdom, brilliantly displayed in the Book of Proverbs, where we find that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” poetically expressed in this way:
The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:
and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
We begin and stand in absolute awe of You,
Thoroughly washed in the fountain of holiness.
The old has passed away—Behold, You make all things new:
Redeemed and justified by Christ, our righteousness.
As You search the earth, may we find grace in your sight.
We seek to be wise but never in our own eyes.
Here we stand as your people destined to walk upright,
As beloved ones, whose hearts Your Word purifies.
We are filled with knowledge and wisdom from above
And bound by a covenant no one can sever,
For nothing can separate us from God’s love:
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
We are renewed in strength and upheld by God’s Word,
As we pursue wisdom, growing in the fear of the Lord.
A perfect accompaniment of this poem is the worship song “We Choose the Fear of the Lord” by the Maranatha Music.
Dr. J's Apothecary Shoppe 