“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.” Psalm 119.98
Proverbs tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1.7). In psalm 119, the poet aligns with this profound truth and extols the word of God for providing that fear and the wisdom that flows out of it.
In this verse, he reveals that God’s word provides wisdom that is far greater than that of his enemies, providing a negative contrast. Tomorrow, we’ll see that he also reveals God’s word provides greater wisdom than the finest of earthly educations, a positive contrast. Together, these verses highlight the surpassing greatness of wisdom founded in biblical truth.
The psalmist not only shows us the supremacy of biblical wisdom; he also shows the route to biblical wisdom. He says that God’s word makes him wiser than his enemies, “for it is ever with me.” His constant meditation on the word of God (119.97) is the means by which God works through Scripture to make him wise.
Your Bible does you no good by sitting on your shelf. Scripture ought to be read, studied, and meditated upon. This is how you grow in biblical wisdom. Spend some time today seeking the Lord for wisdom, asking him to help you cultivate a love for his word and produce wisdom in your life.
Dear Lord, you are the only source of true wisdom. Your precepts bring life. Your word possesses all we need for life and godliness. Give us a great desire for your truth, for heavenly wisdom—that we might live to your glory. Amen.