Sirach 1:1-16: a reflection

1All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with him forever. 2Who can count the sand of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity? 3Who will search out the height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the deep, and wisdom? 4Wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. 6To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? Who has known her shrewd counsels? 8There is one wise, greatly to be feared, sitting upon his throne: the Lord. 9He created her. He saw and measured her. He poured her out upon all his works. 10She is with all flesh according to his gift. He gave her freely to those who love him. 11The fear of the Lord is glory, exultation, gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. 12The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give gladness, joy, and length of days. 13Whoever fears the Lord, it will go well with him at the last. He will be blessed in the day of his death. 14To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It was created together with the faithful in the womb. 15She laid an eternal foundation with men. She will be trusted among their offspring. 16To fear the Lord is the fullness of wisdom. She inebriates men with her fruits.

This passage on wisdom makes two great points. First, that all wisdom comes from the Lord; it is his, from everlasting, and he gives it freely to those who love him. And second, that the fear of the Lord, far from being a grim and joyless thing, is the source of gladness: The fear of the Lord is glory and gladness and a crown of rejoicing; it delights the heart, and gives gladness and joy. The reverent fear of God, this passage insists, is not the enemy of joy but its wellspring.

Notice how this passage links the fear of the Lord with joy. We might imagine that reverence for God, taking him seriously, living in awe of him, would make life heavy and joyless; but the opposite is true. The fear of the Lord, this passage says, delights the heart and gives gladness; it is a crown of rejoicing. Those who truly revere God find not gloom but joy, for a life rightly ordered toward God, in awe and obedience, is a glad life.

That corrects a common misunderstanding. We can imagine that a serious, reverent devotion to God must be somber and joyless, and that real gladness lies elsewhere, in lighter pursuits. But true joy is found in the fear of the Lord, in a life rightly related to God in reverence and love. Do not think that taking God seriously will rob you of joy; it is the very source of it. Seek wisdom from God, who gives it freely to those who love him, and find that the fear of the Lord, far from being grim, delights the heart. Let your reverence for God be joyful, and your joy be rooted in the fear of the Lord, which is glory and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.

Lord, this passage teaches that all wisdom comes from you, given freely to those who love you, and that the fear of the Lord is not grim but glad: it delights the heart, and gives gladness, joy, and a crown of rejoicing. Correct my misunderstanding. I can imagine that a serious, reverent devotion to you must be somber and joyless, and that real gladness lies elsewhere, in lighter pursuits. But true joy is found in the fear of the Lord, in a life rightly related to you in reverence and love. Keep me from thinking that taking you seriously will rob me of joy; it is the very source of it. Help me seek wisdom from you, who give it freely to those who love you, and to find that the fear of the Lord delights the heart. Let my reverence for you be joyful, and my joy be rooted in the fear of you, which is glory and gladness. Give me a glad and reverent heart.