Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  (7)  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  (8)  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  (9)  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Proverbs 8:6-9 

Explanation:

One of the first questions that the reader has to ask when they come to a passage is “who is the author?” or “who is the speaker?”.  This is an important question in this passage.  The answer is found in verses 1 and 4.   The initial question is proposed in verse 1.

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 

Proverbs 8:1 

Wisdom is personified and is speaking out in these verses.  She is the narrator in this passage starting in verses 4-5.

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.  (5)  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 

Proverbs 8:4-5 

So when we get to today’s text, verses 6-9, we find out what wisdom is saying to us.  Wisdom claims that the content of what she proclaims are the following:

• Excellent things– The word here, when used of people, means noble or princely.  The idea is that wisdom is speaking of things that are useful for the most noble people.
• Right things– The word here speaks to justice and equity.  Just, fair and right things are the subject of widsom.
• Truth-  What wisdom says fully cooresponds to reality.  Widsom does not lie.
• Righteous-  Not only are they true in cooresponding with reality, they are also morally correct.
• Pure- Wisdom does not speak in base or sexually immoral ways. 
• Clear- Wisdom speaks things that are understandable.

Application:

We live in a world where there is an abundance of information, but not necessarily an abundance of truth.  We have access to an plethora of content, but we must be careful about the perverse and impure.  Much of what is proposed as “wisdom” is morally confused and difficult to understand.  There is a value therefore to wisdom as defined by God here in Proverbs.  If you search for God’s Wisdom you will find what is excellent, right, true, righteous, pure, and clear.  The ultimate source of wisdom is the Bible itself. 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Hebrews 4:12 

In a world where lies, impure speech, and moral confusion are the norm, wisdom is of utmost value.

Response:

Think about what you have thought about for the last few days.  Would it be described as excellent, right, true, true, righteous, pure and clear?  Is the Word of God informing your thoughts and actions?