8:22 The Lord. The proper name of God as the Redeemer and the Author of the covenant (Ex. 3:15 and notes). God’s redemptive covenant with Israel underscores His commitment to creation, for the covenant promises culminate in Jesus Christ—the great Seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:7; cf. Gal. 3:16) and Son of David (2 Sam. 7:16; cf. Luke 1:32)—through whom the broken and fallen creation is redeemed (Rom. 8:20–22; 2 Cor. 5:17 note; Col. 1:15–20; Rev. 21:1).

possessed me. Wisdom is not a fourth divine person, but an attribute of God that is given expression in creation as well as redemption. In this chapter, wisdom is personified for poetic effect. The attributes of God are eternal, so the figure of wisdom is said to be from “the beginning.”

at the beginning of his work. Wisdom is the prior counsel of God’s will (Eph. 1:11), the eternal decree that establishes all things in their relationships and determines the course of history.

the first of his acts of old. Wisdom existed prior to God’s self-revelation in His covenant and saving acts.