Bible Commentaries

The Beginning of Wisdom

Psalm 111:10

Are we as a people entering upon a period of physical and moral deterioration? It is a question which is vexing the minds of many. May it not be said that few lovers of their country can be wholly at their ease as they watch the streams of thought and habit and speech which seem to be carrying along with them the great masses of our people of every rank and class?

I. The Source of Strength.—Have we as a people the moral stuff and strength with which we can venture to be what is called an imperial race. It is easy, of course, to talk in generalities. Do we not all agree in our heart of hearts that we stand as a people in grave need of a moral renovation, a strengthening of our moral fibre, and a raising of our moral idea? Now if this be Psalm 111:4

Everywhere the blessing is given on conditions. Men fail to receive because they refuse to meet the conditions laid down. Even grace can enter only the open heart and a free salvation can be gripped only by faith.

I. The man who in the text is promised light is the upright. He dares stand on his feet, does not cringe to the great, nor apologize to the foolish. With a clear conscience he can look the whole world in the face. He is upright. He does the right thing at any cost. We must admit that the hard and sometimes harsh theology of our fathers made strong men. I am afraid the softer theology of today has a tendency to make a race of weaklings. There seems to be nothing worth contending for. Even among Christians we have too much moral flabbiness and too little grit. True manliness is not all strength, but strength blended with grace. The good man is not only brave, but is also a gentleman.

II. Man's pain is never in vain. His sufferings are never for nothing. Psalm 111:4

Speaking of the Irish problem in1868 , John Bright observed: "It is a dark and heavy cloud, and its darkness extends over the feelings of men in all parts of the British Empire. But there is a consolation which we may all take to ourselves. An inspired king and bard and prophet has left us words which are not only the expression of a fact, but which we may take as the utterance of a prophecy. He says, "To the upright there ariseth light in the darkness". Let us try in this matter to be upright. Let us try to be just. That cloud will be dispelled."

References.—CXII:4.—E. Bersier, Sermons (2Series), pp273 , 286. CXII:6.—W. F. Shaw, Sermon Sketches, p110. CXII:7.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xi. No647. CXII.—International Critical Commentary, vol. ii. p384. CXIII.—Ibid. p387.