What does being “wise” mean? While wisdom as a topic is not addressed frequently in the Psalms, wisdom as a fundamental and assumed truth is foundational to the Book of the Psalms. In Psalm 107 the question raised is, "Who is wise?" The poet did not answer his question directly, but did advise the wise on how to act. "Let him pay attention to these things." What are "these things"?
Psalm 111 offers insight into what "these things" are. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments." "His commandments" are words not found in the Hebrew text of Psalm 111. Instead, the literal translation is "those who do all these things." So, we are back to "these things." The antecedent for "these things" in Psalm 111 appears to be verse 7. "The works of his hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure." To me, the clear intention of the psalmist as stated in 111.10 is that the people of God are to do truth, justice, and the precepts of the Lord.
In other words, God’s people are to be obedient to all God has commanded. If we are to obtain wisdom, and obedience is the prerequisite for that transaction, then we can see the utter necessity of doing “these things." Now, in understanding obedience, we must put 111.10 in perspective. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" What is "the fear of the Lord."? Are we to believe that we must cower in dread before God, obeying in some mechanical way for fear that God will crush us in his anger if we do not do what we are told?
Somehow, such a thought does not lend itself to a healthy pursuit of wisdom. One should seek wisdom because of the beauty and benefit wisdom brings. If we seek wisdom out of fear, we will do so only as an antidote to God’s anger, not for the benefit we derive. But, if we seek wisdom because of its worth, we will willingly and joyfully obey God.
So then, what is the fear of the Lord? The concept has to do more with acknowledging God’s significance than with being afraid of him. If I am afraid of God, I will avoid him at all costs. I will do whatever is necessary to keep him at a distance. But, if "the fear of the Lord" speaks to something else, my response to God will be somewhat different. "The fear of the Lord," then, is about taking God seriously. If I believe God is of ultimate significance, and if I believe he has a plan for me, then I will make no decision and take no action without taking into account God and his will.
To take God seriously means that I believe that he is more than a figure of speech, a character in a holy book, or, some genetic urge. If God is, and if he is the God of Scripture, then I must have as my first priority in life knowing Him. If my life is consumed by the desire to be in his presence and to be in fellowship with him, then I will do whatever is necessary on my part to foster that relationship. Consequently, all the issues in my life, all my priorities will be determined by the fact of God’s being. Then and only then will I begin the process of obtaining wisdom.
So, the wise person makes God the overriding reality in his life. Everything in the wise person’s life, his attitudes and actions, his principles and practices, his values and vocation, his relationships and realities, is determined and defined by who God is. No decision, no determination in life will be taken apart from the reality of God.
Indeed, according to Paul, God is at work in believers leading each one to determine and to do "his good pleasure." The Lord’s plan is that each of his children be an obedient child. "God is at work in you." He does not leave up to us the accomplishment of his plan; he is bringing us into complete conformity with his "good pleasure."
The wise person will recognize these truths. In admitting to them, he will obey willingly "these things." He will be engaged willfully in the transformation of his life by the power of God’s grace. The wise person will not resist God, he will work with God.
Who, then, is the wise person? Over a period of time, I will seek to answer that question in light of Scripture.
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