This Week’s Lesson

May 4, 2025

The Beginning of Wisdom

Psalms 111:1–10

When desiring wisdom, the Old Testament witness is clear that it begins with the fear of the Lord. Fear? Really? We might be more cautious when afraid, but are we really more wise? It seems that, in translation, the English language may be failing us. The ancient writers of Israel’s wisdom literature may have something different in mind. What is it about the Hebrew understanding of this “fear” that leads us to not run away, but rather toward God?