Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom in the Psalms
Part 3 Wisdom and Glory in Psalm 2 and 8
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7) NASB 95
As we look at the wisdom theme in the Psalms, we found how Psalm 1 contrasted wise and foolish lives and the eternal consequences of each. In Psalms 2 and 8, we saw the Psalmist instructing gentile leaders to be wise and worship the Lord (Psalm 2) and extolling the grandeur of God because of His glory. (Psalm 8).
In Psalm 19, we find another Psalm where David relates the themes of God’s glory and His path to wisdom for those who follow Him.
- God’s Glory Revealed in Natural Revelation – Verses 1-6 declare that “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” (v1) and explain how it is a continual reminder across the whole world of God’s creative glory.
- God’s Wisdom Revealed in God’s Word – Verses 7-11 extoll the Law (revealed Word of God) and how it makes a person wise:
- It is perfect (blameless); it restores the soul (v.7) and makes a follower wise (v.7)
- The underlying precepts of righteousness bring joy to the heart and enlightens the eyes to see life correctly. (v.8)
- The fear of the Lord (which underlies and is the foundation of wisdom) is clean (Hebrew tahor clean, pure) and endures forever. We will forever be in reverent awe of God’s glory, character and divine power.
- God’s Cleansing from Sin – Verses 12-14 appeal the Lord to keep us from sin, and its power over our life so we may be blameless (Hebrew taman, complete or finished) in God’s sight.
This Psalm follows a pattern in other Psalms that recognizes that we may become wise and live a complete life by focusing our instruction and thoughts on God’s Word:
- “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You”. Psalm 119:9–11.
- “Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders”. Psalm 119:26–27.
- “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts”. Psalm 119:97-100
- “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
It is clear that David learned as a shepherd that the heavens revealed God’s glory , leading to the fear of the Lord, and that God’s written word revealed His wisdom and was the foundation for living a wise life.