The Wisdom of God’s Word (Ps 119:97-104)

Never before in the history of our civilization have we had the amount of available intelligence and information and yet are so morally foolish. To be wise is to both know and to do.  

Do you adore wisdom? (vs. 97) Thomas Watson wrote, “If we are lovers of God, we love what God loves. We love God’s Word. David esteemed the Word for the sweetness of it above honey and for the value of it above gold. The lines of Scripture are richer than the mines of godly. Well may we love the Word – it is a guiding star that directs us to heaven. The man who does not love the Word, but thinks it is too strict and could wish any part of the Bible torn out, has not the least spark of live in his heart. A gracious soul loves God’s laws and is glad of the law because it checks his sinful excesses. The heart would be read to run wild in sin if it had not some blessed restrains put upon it by the law of God. He who loves God loves His law – the law of repentance, the law of self-denial.” We see that the psalmist loves God and he loves wisdom and he loves His Word. The question is why.

Why does he adore God’s Word (vs. 98-104)?

Because it makes him wiser than God’s enemies (vs. 98). The atheist may mock us, but God calls him the real fool (Ps 14). Wisdom trumps evil thinking. The Bible empowers you to see light in the midst of dark times. The Bible enables you to have peace in amid crisis. The Bible equips you to handle the “highs and lows” of life. It makes you wiser than any enemy this world throws at your doorstep.

Because the Word is supreme (vs. 99-100). If you cling to God’s Word over that John MacArthur commentary or Wayne Grudem theology book, you will be wise. Why? Because God does not disappoint. MacArthur and Grudem will. You can surpass those brilliant college professors if you delight in God’s Word above their own. Solomon is an example of this special grace of God when he was given the wisdom that surpassed every ancient saint (I Kings 4:30-31). There are echoes of what Paul would tell Timothy later – “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Tim 4:12).

Because it keeps him from sin (vs. 101-102). The Word keeps us from sin. It protects us from violating God’s law. Let me give you an illustration from a book called Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy written by counselor Paul Tripp. He is illustrating the deception of sin in the backdrop of one whose life is void of any wisdom. He writes, “Sin lives in a costume; that’s why it’s so hard to recognize. The fact that sin looks so good is one of the things that make it so bad. In order for it to do its evil work, it must present itself as something that is anything but evil. Life in a fallen world is like attending the ultimate masquerade party. Impatient yelling wears the costume of a zeal for truth. Lust can masquerade as a love for beauty. Gossip does its evil work by living in the costume of concern and prayer. Craving for power and control wears the mask of biblical leadership. Fear of man gets dressed up as a servant heart. The pride of always being right masquerades as a love for biblical wisdom. Evil simply doesn’t present itself as evil, which is part of its draw. You’ll never understand sin’s sleight of hand until you acknowledge that the DNA of sin is deception. Now, what this means personally is that as sinners we are all very committed and gifted self-swindlers. … We’re all too skilled at looking at our own wrong and seeing good.”

Because it brings joy (vs. 103-104). The psalmist is incredibly happy and delighted that he found wisdom. He speaks of them as if they are candy to him. In the Ancient Near East, “honey” was the sweetest of tastes. It was the universal sweetener of the day. It was superior to the richest riches and the most scrumptious food and drink.  

Now, you know how to master wisdom. We know where to get it; we know what to do with it; we know how to feel about it. We know what to hate instead. We know how to master wisdom – by letting it master us.