How does Psalm 112:1 connect with Proverbs 9:10 about wisdom?

Reading the Key Texts

Psalm 112:1 — “Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.”

Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

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Fear of the LORD: The Connecting Thread

• Both verses place “the fear of the LORD” at the center.

• This fear is not terror but a reverent awe that leads to obedience and worship (Exodus 20:20).

• In Psalm 112, fear of the LORD is paired with delight in His commands; in Proverbs 9, it is the starting point for wisdom itself.

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Blessing and Wisdom Flow From the Same Source

• Psalm 112 highlights outward blessing—stability, prosperity, influence (vv. 2–9).

• Proverbs 9 reveals the inner fountain—wisdom and understanding.

• The texts show two sides of one coin: reverence births wisdom, and wisdom produces the blessed life described in Psalm 112.

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Delighting in His Commandments Fuels Wisdom

• Psalm 112:1 connects reverence with “delighting” in God’s law; honoring Scripture cultivates discernment (Psalm 19:7–11).

• Proverbs 9:10 names “knowledge of the Holy One” as understanding; that knowledge grows as we love and obey His word (John 14:21).

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From Reverence to Practical Righteousness

Wisdom in Proverbs 9 becomes tangible in Psalm 112:

– Generosity to the poor (Psalm 112:9; cf. Proverbs 11:25)

– Steadfastness in adversity (Psalm 112:6–7; cf. Proverbs 3:25–26)

– A legacy of righteousness that endures (Psalm 112:2–3; cf. Proverbs 20:7)

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New Testament Echoes

• James 1:5 shows the same pattern—ask God for wisdom, rooted in trust.

• Luke 11:28: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it,” echoing Psalm 112’s delight in commandments.

• 1 Corinthians 1:30 identifies Christ as our wisdom, the ultimate fulfillment of Proverbs 9:10.

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Putting It All Together

Reverent fear of the LORD is the gateway. From that doorway:

1. Wisdom begins (Proverbs 9:10).

2. Delight in God’s commands grows (Psalm 112:1).

3. A life marked by righteous actions, confident stability, and lasting blessing follows (Psalm 112:2–9).

Psalm 112:1 and Proverbs 9:10, therefore, are not isolated sayings; together they outline the path from an awe-filled heart to a wise mind and a blessed life.