Page 119 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

else who is indeed blameless, someone who walks not in step with the wicked or stands in the way that
sinners take or sits in the company of mockers (Ps. 1:1).

Proverbs, like Psalms, uses the metaphor of a tree and of water to describe God’s gifts to those who fear
him. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her (3:18) as is choosing righteousness (11:30)
and a soothing tongue (15:4). The experience of having God fulfill one’s hopes on a regular basis is like a
tree of life (13:12). So too the mouth of the righteous giving out wise advice is a fountain of life (10:11;
13:14; 16:22), all based on the fear of the Lord (14:27). Life in Yahweh is abundant. Life in Yahweh
touches everything. Life in Yahweh acknowledges his greatness.

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