Saturday - Psalm 49 - The Principal Thing

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here are 2 verses in the book of Proverbs which really sum up the point that David is making in Psalm 49. Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."  Again, Proverbs 16:16 adds, "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"  According to Psalm 49:2, this counsel is needed by all of us. So, wisdom is the principal thing; we all need it. And, wisdom is available for the asking (James 1:5). But why; why is wisdom so essential?  What danger or opportunity calls for this thing above all else?

In Psalm 49:5 David says that I need wisdom when the "iniquity of my heels" begins to surround me.  When it comes time to pay the piper... when the chickens come home to roost... when the wind we have planted comes back in the form of a tornado (Hosea 8:7), what will deliver us?  Psalm 49:6 says that if we trust in our wealth, we are sure to come up short.  Jesus listed Himself and money as the 2 primary vying options before us (Luke 16:13).  Solomon specified which one would come through for us (Ecclesiastes 7:12).  Not man's wisdom (I Corinthians 2:4), God's wisdom... as seen specifically in the person of His Son (I Corinthians 1:24 & 2:7-8, Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10 & Proverbs 1:7).