says, "the fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be

shortened". There is deeper truth here, and in 9: 10, than merely the prolonging of life,

which, however, is attached to the observing of the commandment. Chapter 9: 10 may

be translated, "for by me thy days shall become great, and they shall make thee greater

through years of life"; and 10: 17, "the fear of the Lord makes greater days, but the years

of the wicked shall be made little". This too is the testimony of Prov. 3: 1:--

Again in 4: 10 the A.V. says, "Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the

years of thy life shall be many"; the true rendering which takes account of the gender of

the verb is, "Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, AND THEY SHALL GROW

GREATER TO THEE through years of life". This is an aspect of truth that it is a

blessing to realize.

The other passage that supplements 9: 10 is 14: 26: "in the fear of the Lord is

strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge". The heart, not the

intellect, is ever in view. They who "fear" the Lord need fear none else, in Him they

have both confidence and refuge.

The Proverbs now leave the subject of knowledge and wisdom to treat of life. "The

fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death". We can

understand the first statement of this verse, but how can a fountain be of use in departing,

and in departing from a snare? The word rendered "fountain" is derived from a verb, to

dig, and, compounded with M, means literally "a dug out place". This became almost

exclusively used for a fountain, but we are not bound to adopt this secondary meaning.

The primary meaning seems demanded by the idea of departing from the snares of death.

The snares of death are varied, and one that entraps many is concern for the good things

of this life. The fear of the Lord enables us to depart from this, for "better is a little with

the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith" (14: 16). This is a

discipline, as the apostle says in Phil. 4:, "I have learned", "I am instructed", yet it is

the "discipline of wisdom", and is in line with other Scriptures which teach that suffering

precedes glory, and "before honour is humility" (Prov. 15: 3). This brings us to the

passage already considered, "the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil". In the section

that deals with knowledge and wisdom hatred of evil is spoken of; in the section that

deals with life, departing from it is the teaching. Out of the heart are the issues of life.

We now consider 19: 23, "the fear of the Lord tendeth to life". The plural "lives"

may have future life in view, and this seems to receive confirmation from the next line,

"and he that hath it shall abide satisfied". Contentment here below with a "little" and

"satisfied" in the life to come are connected with the fear of the Lord, as fruit is with root,

for the next reference may be translated, "the end of humiliation, the fear of the Lord, is

riches and honour, and life" (22: 4). It is therefore for our highest good that we hold to

the fear of the Lord. They who fear not the Lord may prosper in this life, but we

understand, like Asaph, "the end".