"19 Jehovah founded the earth in wisdom. He solidly established the heavens in discernment. 20 By his knowledge the watery deeps were split apart And the cloudy skies dripped with dew. 21 My son, do not lose sight of them. Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability; 22 They will give you life And be an adornment for your neck; 23 Then you will walk on your way in safety, And your foot will never stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will have no fear; You will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. 25 You will not fear any sudden terror Nor the storm that is coming on the wicked. 26 For Jehovah will prove to be your source of confidence; He will keep your foot from being caught."
Prove 3:19-20 Just ponder the wisdom with which Jehovah God made not only this earth and all that is within and on it, but also our sun, the other stars in this galaxy and countless others in this universe, and any other planets, which are being found surrounding other stars in habitable zones, or distance ranges allowing for continued life. Can we not appreciate God's willingness to share divine wisdom with mere humans? (James 1:5-6). Not only does God know how to create and sustain life among humans, but of much more importance to Him is knowing how to help all to have a close relationship with Him and with other humans--to help us find joy knowing God and in living peaceably with others. God's ability to discern truth from false, good from bad, more important matters from lesser ones, among other things, assisted Him in His creative work and understanding in the way He made us, making it possible for us to delight in His good gifts in life (James 1:16-17).
Prove 3:21 We are to safeguard these qualities, letting no one or thing interfere with our developing and maintaining full use of them. Practical wisdom is skillful use of knowledge, putting it to good use, or using it to accomplish good things, truly benefitting others and oneself, hating all badness in the genuine fear of God. Ability to think through a matter, to see various ways to approach a situation, and to come up with the most helpful way to handle it, also is a quality worthy of protection. May we thus treasure divine wisdom and thinking ability, in modest imitation of our God and Creator, with humble appreciation for, and submission to, Him, in awe fearing to displease or hurt Him in any way.
Prove 3:22 We will thus be on the road to eternal life, and the words coming through our throat can be lovely before others, rooted in love and appreciation for our God, who is the Source of, and sets the example in, true love, "the flame of Jah." (Canti 8:6).
Prove 3:23 God's wisdom as mentioned previously, includes also foresighted shrewdness, or prudence, enabling us to look ahead at the consequences of our speech and actions, that we may hate what is bad, and it's resulting trouble, pain, and sorrow, and continue loving what is good, with its rewards and blessing from God. By considering God's wisdom before we act, we can thereby see to avoid many hardships and troubles, walking in safety, loving God's protective law, now through Christ. For such ones, God's word says, "Nothing can make them stumble." (Psalm 119:165).
Prove 3:24-26 Letting Jehovah be our source of confidence, rather than merely human power, oneself or our own understanding of things, maintaining our love for, and reliance on, God, will bring His blessing and approval, and true spiritual security, practically eliminating fear as our love for God and others grows. "There is no fear in love, but perfect (complete) love casts fear out, because fear restrains us. Indeed, the one who is fearful has not been made perfect in love." (1John 4:18). Such complete love, for example, deals with others impartially, without prejudice, upholding what is right toward another regardless of their economic standing, social status, race, color, etc.
_______
Verses 45-48 read this way: "And I will walk about in a place of safety, For I search for your orders. 46 I will speak about your reminders in front of kings, And I will not be ashamed. 47 I am fond of your commandments, Yes, I love them. 48 I will raise my hands to your commandments, which I love, And I will ponder over your regulations."
SEARCHING. Psalm 119:45 We may thus dwell in a figurative place of spiritual security, as we stay close to Jehovah, like the psalmist, searching for God's orders. He wanted to know everything God commanded him, so that he would not fail to be obedient. He continues "to search" for God's orders, as often revealed in His word. May we likewise be searching for God's guidance and instruction, especially the most serious, important, and urgent commands, seeking to understand the reasons for them, that we may comply with God's vital direction. May we delight in God's orders, which "cause the heart to rejoice," and His reminders, that we may not forget what's required of Him. Understandably, he next mentions these "reminders."
NOT ASHAMED OF THE TRUTH. Psalm 119:46 It may take more study and reflection on the value of God's word to ourselves and others, but we too can come to happily share such divine knowledge with others, not being ashamed to do so. Remember, it may mean someone's eternal life to "speak up." Even if they do not appreciate our effort to do so then, it doesn't mean they won't remember it later in life, perhaps before it's too late. Something may happen later to change their mind, and how they feel about it. By setting the right example for them now, we show them as soon as possible the right way for them to go, the way to eternal happiness! (Psalm 27:14; 146:5).
GIVEN OUT OF GREAT LOVE. Psalm 119:47 What a lovely simple expression of appreciation for God's law! Jehovah has given His commandments out of His great love for us, to do what is in our best interests, what leads to our greatest happiness! Isaiah 48:17-18 says, for instance, "This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea." By thus "paying attention" to God's commandments, we can, like the psalmist, come to love them and keep them, with integrity, and with strengthened hope of salvation by God!
PONDER GOD'S GUIDANCE. Psalm 119:48 The psalmist may have reference to prayer, in raising his hands to God's commandments. May we prayerfully reflect on God's law, seeking heartfelt obedience to God. He willingly chose to ponder God's regulations, or detailed instructions and procedures, so that he could keep them diligently and entirely. It takes development spiritually before one can grasp more detailed instruction, even from God. May we grow in especially the quality of understanding, seeing where things fit in to to the big picture of God's overall purpose and the value of God's word in all of it's guidance in life. Examine your life and see where a particular principle, truth, or law of God has value. Then we may appreciate God's instructions more fully.