Psalms of instruction in wisdom and the blessing of the wise life

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Some psalms are called wisdom psalms because they make a case for the primary importance of wisdom or instruct readers in dealing with questions, issues, and doubts that arise in life (see Pss 1, 14, 25, 34, 37, 39, 49, 73, 78, 90, 91, 111, 112, 127, 128, 131, 133, 139). Many other psalms contain elements of wisdom teaching (see Pss 18, 27, 31, 32, 40, 62, 92, 94, 107, 144, 146). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 36:12

Historical significance of wisdom
In the ancient Near East, wisdom had to do with ordering life and society, pleasing God and other people, and carefully observing life, society, and nature. In Israel, wisdom shares these concerns but is distinct in the centrality it gives to fear of the Lord. God alone is the center and focus of life (76:7), and proper fear of him opens the path of wisdom (111:10). Fear of the Lord is a disposition of absolute submission to and trust in the Lord (40:3; 112:7; 115:11), which leads to purity of life (19:9). Psalm 34 defines the fear of the Lord as a search for abundant life (34:12) that begins with seeking the Lord (34:4). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 36:12
The way of wisdom is the way of godliness
The way of wisdom is the way of godliness. Psalm 1 invites all readers of the Psalter to delight in God, his revelation, and the lifestyle that results from his care for the wise. The lives of the godly demonstrate inner consistency, growth, and beauty as they increasingly reflect God’s righteousness and justice, love and fidelity, compassion and grace. They practice godliness from the heart—from the inside out. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 36:12
Wisdom gives you a godly worldview
Wisdom enlarges a person’s perspective on life. A wise person desires to see life from God’s point of view. This search means living in submission and trust under the sovereign King who maintains the order and harmony of creation. Seeking God encourages an orderly and peaceful life (104:24; 139:14) and motivates obedience (19:7; 25:12; 51:6; 112:1; 119:98). The wise imitate God, and their lives are full of joy even when they are suffering hardship. They praise the Lord amidst all circumstances of life (22:23, 25). They face life confidently because the Lord is with them (23:4; 27:1, 3; 33:18; 49:5; 91:1-16). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 36:12
The contrasted way of the fool
In contrast to the way of the wise is the way of the fool, or the wicked. Such people perceive themselves as powerful and continually boast of their accomplishments. They do not accept limitations. They brag, oppress, steal, and deprive others of their happiness. They have no fear of the Lord (36:1; 55:19). The poets of Israel repeatedly warned the people to be wary of the path of folly, lest God’s judgment overtake the foolish (2:10-11; 33:8; 64:9; 94:8).  (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 36:12
Jesus Christ is wisdom personified
Jesus Christ came into the world as God in the flesh. He embodies all the qualities of wisdom. Through him, we can walk in the way of wisdom since he suffered for our sins (Col 2:2-3).
     cf: Ps 1:1-6; Ps 14:1-7; Ps 25:1-22; Ps 34:1-22;Ps 39:1-13; Ps 49:1-20; Ps 73:1-28; Ps 78:1-72; Ps 90:1-91:16; Ps 111:1-112:10; Ps 127:1-128:6; Ps 131:1-3; Ps 133:1-3; Ps 139:1-24 (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 36:12

Psalm 1 — the eternal importance of godly wisdom

Introduction of wisdom psalms
1:1-6: This wisdom psalm sets the tone for the whole Psalter. The psalmist strongly contrasts the happiness of the godly with the condemnation of the wicked; in the end, the way of wisdom will triumph. This idealization of the godly person (as in Ps 8) highlights the Lord’s expectations of his people and especially of the coming Messiah (Ps 2). The people of Israel did not live up to this ideal, and neither did the kings of David’s dynasty. Not even the best of them could bring in the triumph of righteousness described in Pss 1, 2, and 72. In the NT, the apostles’ use of the Psalter to describe the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah confirms that Jesus alone fulfills the ideal of the godly person presented in the psalms. Only Jesus could please God and secure redemption, happiness, and peace. Psalm 1 introduces the hopeful anticipation of the final hallelujah (Ps 150), when the Lord will remove all evil from his creation and prosper his children. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 1:1

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
     bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
     and they prosper in all they do. (NLT) Psalms 1:3

Psalm 14 — the folly of humankind

Ps 14:1-7. The practical atheism and total and universal depravity of the wicked, with their hatred to the good, are set forth. Yet, as they dread God’s judgments when He vindicates His people, the Psalmist prays for His delivering power. (JFB) Psalms 14:1

Psa 14:1 Only fools say their is no God
Psa 14:3 No one does good, not a single one
Psa 14:4 Will those who do evil never learn?
Psa 14:6 but the Lord will protect his people
Psa 14:7 The Lord will rescue his people

Psalm 34 — the fear of the Lord brings wisdom

This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic is missing one letter (waw) and has an additional verse at the end (34:22). This wisdom psalm includes a thanksgiving hymn (34:1-7) that celebrates the Lord’s care for and protection of godly sufferers. It also includes an invitation to wisdom (34:8-14) and an exposition of wisdom concerning the Lord’s care for the needy and the suffering of the wicked (34:15-22). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 34:1

I will praise the Lord at all times.
     I will constantly speak his praises. (NLT) Psalms 34:1

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
     Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (NLT) Psalms 34:8

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
     his ears are open to their cries for help.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
     he will erase their memory from the earth. (NLT) Psalms 34:15-16

Psalm 37 — blessings of wisdom vs. ruin of the wicked

37:1-9: The wise respond to evil by trusting in the Lord. Trust includes five dimensions: (1) renouncing irritability and envy (37:1-2); (2) delighting in the Lord (37:3-4); (3) submitting to the Lord (37:5-6); (4) practicing patience in hope (37:7); and (5) avoiding anger (37:8-9). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 37:1

Ps 37:1-40. A composed and uniform trust in God and a constant course of integrity are urged in view of the blessedness of the truly pious, contrasted in various aspects with the final ruin of the wicked. Thus the wisdom and justice of God’s providence are vindicated, and its seeming inequalities, which excite the cavils of the wicked and the distrust of the pious, are explained. David’s personal history abundantly illustrates the Psalm. (JFB) Psalms 37:1

Trust in the Lord and do good.
     Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
     and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
     Trust him, and he will help you. (NLT) Psalms 37:3-5

Psalm 73 — pondering the prosperity of the wicked

Introduction to Book Three
73:1–89:52: Book Three begins with the problem of inequity in the world: The wicked enjoy prosperity while the righteous suffer. Psalm 73 also prepares readers to contemplate the collapse of David’s dynasty, which forms the context for the end of Book Three (Ps 89). • Book Three consists of two collections: (1) psalms by Asaph that focus on the restoration of God’s people and the judgment of his enemies (Pss 73–83); and (2) psalms by the “Sons of Korah” (Pss 84–89). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 73:1
Questions about God's justice
73:1–75:10: The apparent prosperity of the wicked (Ps 73) and God’s apparent rejection of his people (Ps 74) raise questions about his justice. God is sovereign over the whole world, and he determines the time for judgment (Ps 75). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 73:1
Why do the wicked prosper?
73:1-28: This wisdom psalm (see “Wisdom Psalms” at Ps 37) examines the injustice of the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist affirms that God is good to the godly but his own experience differs (73:2-12). Nearly overcome by his doubts (73:13-16), the psalmist meets the Lord in the sanctuary and gains a perspective that stretches beyond his life and renews his confidence in God (73:17-26). His disturbing doubts stir a greater passion for truth. He knows that he can trust God and that God will rescue him (73:27-28). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 73:1
God's perspective renews trust
Ps 73:1-28. Of Asaph–(see Introduction). God is good to His people. For although the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, tempted the Psalmist to misgivings of God’s government, yet the sudden and fearful ruin of the ungodly, seen in the light of God’s revelation, reassures his heart; and, chiding himself for his folly, he is led to confide renewedly in God, and celebrate His goodness and love. (JFB) Psalms 73:1

For I envied the proud
     when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. (NLT) Psalms 73:3

Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
     Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
     every morning brings me pain. (NLT) Psalms 73:13-14

Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
     and I was all torn up inside. (NLT) Psalms 73:21

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
     I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
     and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. (NLT) Psalms 73:28

Psalm 78 — the warning of history against wickedness

78:1-72: This wisdom psalm exhorts the people to learn wisdom and faithfully pass it on. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 78:1

78:2: The psalmist recites Israel’s story (78:5-72) in a parable in order to teach wisdom and insight. • Jesus quoted this verse to explain why he taught in parables (Matt 13:35). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 78:2

O my people, listen to my instructions.
     Open your ears to what I am saying,
for I will speak to you in a parable.
     I will teach you hidden lessons from our past (NLT) Psalms 78:1-2

Psalm 112 — happiness of those who fear God

Ps 112:1-10. This Psalm may be regarded as an exposition of Ps 111:10, presenting the happiness of those who fear and obey God, and contrasting the fate of the ungodly. (JFB) Psalms 112:1

How joyful are those who fear the Lord
     and delight in obeying his commands. (NLT) Psalms 112:1

The wicked will see this and be infuriated.
     They will grind their teeth in anger;
     they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. (NLT) Psalms 112:10

Psalm 127 — success through God’s wisdom

The secret to success
Ps 127:1-5. The theme of this Psalm, that human enterprises only succeed by the divine blessing, was probably associated with the building of the temple by Solomon, its author. It may have been adopted in this view, as suited to this series especially, as appropriately expressing the sentiments of God’s worshippers in relation to the erection of the second temple. (JFB) Psalms 127:1

127:1-5: Blessing and protection come from God. Without his presence, there is no success (127:1-2). This is particularly true for children, who are God’s gift (127:3-5). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 127:1

Unless the Lord builds a house,
     the work of the builders is wasted. (NLT) Psalms 127:1

Psalm 128 — blessing through God’s wisdom

128:1-6: The godly, who fear the Lord, will know true happiness (128:1-2). The Lord is with them (see 127:1-2), building their home life (128:3-4) and blessing them across the generations (128:5-6). (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Psalms 128:1

Ps 128:1-6. The temporal blessings of true piety. The eighth chapter of Zecariah is a virtual commentary on this Psalm. Compare Ps 128:3 with Zec 8:5; and Ps 128:2 with Le 26:16; De 28:33; Zec 8:10; and Ps 128:6 with Zec 8:4. (JFB) Psalms 128:1

How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
     all who follow his ways! (NLT) Psalms 128:1

Psalm 133 — the real harmony of godly wisdom

Visible unity of all God's people
1. Behold &c.] The Psalmist seems to have before his eyes some instance of the blessing and the beauty of brotherly concord which prompts his song. May it not have been the enthusiasm of those who volunteered to dwell in Jerusalem, when Nehemiah was restoring its civic and religious organisation (Nehemiah 11:2)?
     for brethren to dwell together in unity] Lit. the dwelling of brethren also together: i.e. that the tie of intimate relationship denoted by the name of brethren should find outward expression in the gathering of Israelites to make their home in the mother-city, or, if the reference of the Psalm is to the great Feasts, in the reunions of the members of the nation at these periodical gatherings. By brethren he does not mean the members of a single family, but the members of the larger family of Israel, the whole nation. In unity is doubtless a correct interpretation of the Psalmist’s meaning, though it goes beyond the strict sense of the Heb. word, which only means together. –Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

How wonderful and pleasant it is
     when brothers live together in harmony! (NLT) Psalms 133:1

Sadly, this verse and this Psalm have been corrupted by man-made religion to mean uniformness to their unique doctrines, and thus the exclusion of all other Christians. This is diametrically opposed  and completely opposite of the instruction of the Bible.

Proverbs 8 — the advantages of divine wisdom

Pr 8:1-36. Contrasted with sensual allurements are the advantages of divine wisdom, which publicly invites men, offers the best principles of life, and the most valuable benefits resulting from receiving her counsels. Her relation to the divine plans and acts is introduced, as in Pr 3:19, 20, though more fully, to commend her desirableness for men, and the whole is closed by an assurance that those finding her find God’s favor, and those neglecting ruin themselves. (JFB) Proverbs 8:1

8:1–9:18: The first part of Proverbs climaxes when the son encounters two women. Both invite the young man, and the reader with him, into an intimate relationship. The young man and the reader must decide between the woman named Wisdom, personifying the true wisdom of God (8:1–9:6), and the woman named Folly (9:13-18), representing the wisdom of the world (1 Cor 1:18–2:16). Both women’s houses are on “the heights overlooking the city” (9:3, 14), suggesting ancient temples; the choice is thus between the true God and false gods. (New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Proverbs 8:1

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