the fear of the Lord brings a knowledge beyond the grasp of any of those great philosophers. For the fear of the Lord is precisely that “assurance of God’s benevolence toward us.” In the fear of the Lord is found a true knowledge of God, as Creator and as Redeemer, as majestic and as merciful. Any “knowledge of God” that is devoid of such fearful and overwhelmed wonder is actually blind and barren. The living God is so wonderful that he is not truly known where he is not worshiped and heartily adored.
