10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is its first principle, but it is also its head and chief attainment. The word beginning in Scripture sometimes means the chief; and true religion is at once the first element of wisdom, and its chief fruit. To know God so as to walk aright before him is the greatest of all the applied sciences. Holy reverence of God leads us to praise him, and this is the point which the psalm drives at, for it is a wise act on the part of a creature towards his Creator. A good understanding have all they that do his commandments. Obedience to God proves that our judgment is sound. Does not reason itself claim obedience for the Lord of all? Practical godliness is the test of wisdom. People may know and be very orthodox, they may talk and be very eloquent, they may speculate and be very profound; but the best proof of their intelligence must be found in their actually doing the will of the Lord. The former part of the psalm taught us the doctrine of God’s nature and character, by describing his works; the second part supplies the practical lesson by drawing the inference that to worship and obey him is the dictate of true wisdom. His praise endureth for ever. The praises of God will never cease, because his works will always excite adoration, and it will always be the wisdom of men to extol their glorious Lord. Some regard this sentence as referring to those who fear the Lord—their praise will endure forever; and indeed it is true that those who lead obedient lives will obtain honor of the Lord, and commendations which will abide forever. A word of approbation from the mouth of God will be an honor which will outshine all the decorations which kings and emperors can bestow.
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