Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
– Proverbs 3:13
Psalm 119:3
They also do no iniquity:
they walk in his ways.
~ Psalm 119:3
This verse continues the description of the blessed. Here they are considered negatively and positively. Negatively, they do not do iniquity. Positively, they do walk in His ways.
They also do no iniquity—The standard is here raised, but there is not the intention of earthly perfection. We know this at least from the later confessions and acknowledgments of failure in this Psalm. The truth is that Christians do not make a habit or regular practice of sin. That is not the general trend of their life. Consider the words of John:
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 3:9We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1 John 5:18
They walk in his ways—It is not enough to keep from sin, though that is much. We must do righteousness. We must go in the right path. Just as the first part considered the general trend of the life and absolute perfection, here that trend is toward God’s ways. We must be acquainted, even more than acquainted, with God’s word, but that is not all. Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).
The way of the blessed tends toward God and away from sin. This is sometimes called progressive sanctification. It is a work that God does in us and the fruit is known.
Psalm 119:2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
and that seek him with the whole heart.
~ Psalm 119:2
Blessed are they—Verse 2 begins as verse 1, continuing the theme of the blessed. The writer of this Psalm will go on to acknowledge his failures. We need not think the “blessed” are without any error this side of heaven. Their character is described and we may safely assume they are directives to us to come to this condition.
That keep his testimonies—”To keep” here signifies to watch or to guard. The thought is of one guarding something of great value, such as a treasure. To guard something means to at least have some notion of the value of what is being guarded. It also indicates a desire to retain what is being guarded. The Psalmist finds such treasure in the testimonies of God. He will go on later to say they are more valuable than hordes of earthly treasure.
The blessed are keeping “His testimonies.” The word here means to turn back again or go over again. The thought is of giving an account of some event or truth. It is similar to the idea we have of someone giving a testimony in court. They are recounting the event, the character of someone, some scientific fact, etc. These are God’s testimonies concerning Himself. It occurs 23 times in this Psalm and refers to God’s self-revelation to man.
God’s testimonies are worth guarding and keeping. Another to say that is to say they are worth treasuring. The Psalmist treasure the testimonies of God in his heart and mind.
That seek him with the whole heart—Two great keys are given here. The first might be easily missed. The blessed “seek him.” In all the keeping of the Word, exulting in promises, rejoicing in blessings, the truly blessed are seeking Him. This theme is worthy of greater development, but suffice it to say there is a difference in seeking God’s benefits and seeking God.
The second key is that the seeking is “with the whole heart.” It is no half-hearted effort. Men of the world will give their whole heart to pursuing earthly riches, pleasure, and power. The blessed give their whole heart to seeking God. I have never seen a list of great accomplishments in history through half-hearted effort. I suspect it would be a short list.
God requires that we seek Him with our whole heart. “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12). God will suffer our hearts to be broken, but not divided. Whole-heartedness is a sub-theme that will continue throughout this long Psalm.
Psalm 119:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
~ Psalm 119:1
Blessed are—This majestic Psalm opens by showing the way of the blessed. “Blessed” describes a condition or state of being. It signifies happiness or prosperity, but does not promise the absence of sorrow or loss. It does not indicate levity, joviality, nor mirth. It is a state of favor, particularly Divine favor.
The blessed condition ought to be desired by all Christians. Though there are many directions to it in Scripture, many are either ignorant of how to attain unto it or they are reckless of heeding the way to it. This particular Psalm gives ample instruction in being blessed. Are we wise enough to hear and heed it?
This verse begins, “Blessed are.” They are, and then their condition is described. In this Psalm, we find the blessed are in favor with God. This means they enjoy communication with Him and sensitive to impediments of the same.
The undefiled in the way—To be undefiled is to be upright and truthful. The underlying thought is truth and integrity. It is the absence of hypocrisy in their walk. This at least says that being blessed is not in external appearance. Often, the external appearance seems contradictory to being blessed.
Link for Psalm 119 Sermon Series
“Way” here is one of the related words used in this Psalm to speak of the Word of God. The root of this word in the Hebrew means to tread with the foot. So the root denotes the act of walking. “Way” here speaks of a path, road, a going, or journeying. This word occurs 13 times in the entire Psalm.
The way indicates a marked out way. For the blessed, it is God’s way. To walk any other way is to be out of favor with God, incurring His wrath in the case of the wicked and His chastisement in the case of His children. It might be said that the order of first importance to be blessed is to be in God’s way.
Who walk in the law of the LORD—”Law” is another synonym for God’s Word. Here it is torah, a precept or statute. The root means to project or to issue, hence to point out or to show. It includes teaching or instruction. God’s law contains His instructions and points out His will. This word occurs about 25 times in the entire Psalm.
To speak of law is to speak of power and authority. It is the law of the Lord and none other the blessed walk in. They have abandoned the path of tradition, opinion, and all other laws of men to walk singly in His law.
Emphasis is put on walk. This word often stands for conversation, or the way of life. It is comprehensive. The blessed have their entire conversation, way of life, regulated by God. While some may wish to have God’s Word for some things and not for others, the blessed want all of God’s Word for all of life.
“Walk” also conveys the idea of constancy, consistency, perseverance. The blessed are continuing in the things they have learned. They are of those who go on unto perfection. Starting out pointed in the right direction is good, but diverting from the path in the middle or stopping before we reach the destination is not. We must press on and walk.
Proverbs 3:18
Posted by Jeff Short on July 19, 2016 · 1 Comment
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
This verse removes doubt, if there is any, about the spiritual nature of the gifts of wisdom. Here she is a tree of life, which tree is so called because it is life giving and a tree that never dies. The Tree of Life was in the Garden of Eden at the creation (Genesis 2:9; 3:22). The way to the tree was barred by the angels after Adam sinned and, I believe, taken from the earth before the flood. The next location that is given for the tree is in the new heaven and new earth, and specifically in the new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2).– Proverbs 3:18
Here it is a figure that represents everlasting life, which is real life, and access to it means full communion with God (Revelation 2:7; 22:14). Laying hold and retaining mirrors the language of apprehending Christ in faith (Hebrews 6:18; John 8:31; 1 John 2:24). Every one that has wisdom after this manner is happy or makes good progress.
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