Contemplative Bible Reading

I will post this in a different format than usual to emphasize the differences in translations and meaning.

The fear of the Lord is a phrase commonly used in the Bible and just as commonly misused by us when reading and explaining. One concept that is repeated in scriptures is the beginning of wisdom. In Psalms we find it here. I use the King James Version as it is the traditional statement.

Psalm 111:10 (King James Version) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

What is meant by “beginning?” That is where we start. If we want to find wisdom, we should start at the right place. There are many places I can name as the wrong place to begin in the search for wisdom. Examples: magazine rack at the grocery store, fill-in-the-blank section at the book store, Facebook, YouTube, and fill-in-the-blank-with-another-web-or-other-on-your-mobile-device.

Here is the New Living Translation of the same Psalm:

Psalm 111:10 (New Living Translation) Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

I like this translation as it agrees with my interpretation of the classic translations. Fearing and respecting God is the foundation, the base, the place where I start if I want to find wisdom.

Only by living in God can I truly seek and find wisdom. All other starting points will point my in the wrong direction. I can spend a lifetime or more seeking wisdom in vain if I start in the wrong place.

Fear the Lord. Seek wisdom. In that order.