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Wisdom speaks of herself as “from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” (8:23) This is referring to Jesus Christ, Who, at creation, stood by God the Father as a master craftsman. Jesus is the everlasting God, and our Savior. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3)

BibleGateway: Proverbs 8:22-36

ESV Text: Proverbs 8:22-36

Proverbs 8:22–36 (Listen)


22   “The LORD possessed1 me at the beginning of his work,2
    the first of his acts of old.
23   Ages ago I was set up,
    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24   When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
25   Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth,
26   before he had made the earth with its fields,
    or the first of the dust of the world.
27   When he established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28   when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established3 the fountains of the deep,
29   when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
  when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30     then I was beside him, like a master workman,
  and I was daily his4 delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
31   rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.


32   “And now, O sons, listen to me:
    blessed are those who keep my ways.
33   Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
34   Blessed is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.
35   For whoever finds me finds life
    and obtains favor from the LORD,
36   but he who fails to find me injures himself;
    all who hate me love death.”

Footnotes

[1] 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created

[2] 8:22 Hebrew way

[3] 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

[4] 8:30 Or daily filled with

(ESV)


KJV Text: Proverbs 8:22-36

The section starts at about 1:53 and ends at about 3:33

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     22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

     32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 294 : O Word of God Incarnate

Hymnary.org

Organ Audio

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1. O Word of God Incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky,
We praise Thee for the radiance
That from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps
Shines on from age to age.

2. The Church from her dear Master
Received the gift divine,
And still that light she lifteth
O’er all the earth to shine.
It is the golden casket
Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven-drawn picture
Of Christ, the living Word.

3. It floateth like a banner
Before God’s host unfurled;
It shineth like a beacon
Above the darkling world.
It is the chart and compass
That o’er life’s surging sea,
‘Mid mists and rocks and quicksands,
Still guides, O Christ, to thee.

4. O make thy church, dear Saviour,
A lamp of purest gold,
To bear before the nations
Thy true light, as of old.
O teach thy wand’ring pilgrims
By this their path to trace,
Till, clouds and darkness ended,
They see thee face to face.