Proverbs 1 opens the most practical book in the Bible with a declaration that has shaped Western education for three thousand years: the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction

My son, listen to your father’s instruction Don’t forsake your mother’s teaching For they will be a garland to grace your head Chains around your neck

My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent If they say come with us, let’s lie in wait for blood Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause We’ll swallow them up alive like Sheol

For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird But these lay in wait for their own blood They lurk secretly for their own lives

Wisdom calls aloud in the street She utters her voice in the public squares She calls at the head of noisy places At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words

How long will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery? And fools hate knowledge? Turn at my reproof

Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you I will make known my words to you For the backsliding of the simple will kill them The careless ease of fools will destroy them

But whoever listens to me will dwell securely And will be at ease, without fear of harm The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction

My son, listen My son, listen

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Proverbs 1 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press