Proverbs 3:1-6 — My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Verses 5 and 6 of this text are very well known — “Trust in the Lord …”. They were verses that I learned very early in my Christian walk. Verses 1 to 4 get talked about less often but maybe their advice is just as valuable.
The first thing to note is the scope of Solomon’s instruction. “My law … My commandments”… He’s not talking about laws and commandments that he had invented. Whether he is continuing the personification of wisdom begun in chapter 2, or speaking in his own voice, he is clearly talking about God’s law, and God’s commandments.
More than mere memorization is expected. “bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart” … in effect, Solomon says, make the law and commandments the guiding principles of your life. Always have them “top of mind” whenever you make a decision.
Of course it’s not enough to know the law and memorize the commandments. It is necessary to obey them, to trust in the Lord and be directed by Him.
Observing the law and commandments, says Solomon, brings great benefits.
The first blessing is “Length of days” — that is, as much life as is desired, and no more. The second, “Years of life,” is closely related. It speaks of having life worth living. Psalm 90 tells us “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Solomon is talking of a life that never becomes “labor and sorrow”. Then there is “Peace;” — “shalom”, that Hebrew word that carries so much more than just “peace”. It might just as well be defined as “prosperity, success; welfare, state of health; friendliness; deliverance and salvation.”
As well as these wonderful “general” benefits, the son will receive “favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man” — that is he will be well thought of, and well spoken of.
All those years ago, Solomon knew what he was talking about. The law and commandments must frame our life, and if we let them the benefits will be wonderful!