For the Lord giveth wisdom:
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous;
He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment,
And preserveth the way of His saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment,
And equity; yea, every good path.
Intimately connected, ever, must be the search for truth and walking in it when received. Where there is a single eye and a true heart, characterized by earnest desire to live in the power of the truth revealed to the soul, He whose truth it is will be a buckler, or defense for His own, keeping them safely as they tread the path of judgment; thus preserving their way. It is by so walking that one shall daily increase in the knowledge of righteousness, judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Very different is this from mere mental adhesion to a certain theological system, or a particular school of biblical lore.
It is not so much “holding the truth,” as being held by that truth.
Between the two states there is a vast difference. “Vain talkers and deceivers” abound, who speak “great swelling words,” and boast of their knowledge of prophetic and dispensational teaching, or of ecclesiastical truths, whose unguarded ways and careless walk bring reproach upon the solemn and precious things they professed to glory in. They seem to chew the cud, but fail to manifest the divided hoof. Such a course persisted in sears the conscience and hardens the heart, till the most searching ministry fails to make any impression upon them.
(Commentary by H.A. Ironside)