1. preparations—schemes.
in man—or literally,
"to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer . . . Lord—The
efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
3. (Compare Margin). Rely
on God for success to your lawful purposes.
4. for himself—"for its
answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's
plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psalms 49:5;
Jeremiah 17:18); sinning and suffering
answer to each other, are indissolubly united.
6. By mercy and truth—that is,
God's (Psalms 85:10); He effects
the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety
incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth"
may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work
instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged—expiated (as in
Leviticus 16:33; Isaiah 27:9,
Hebrew).
7. Persecutions, of course,
excepted.
9. (Compare ).
directeth—establisheth.
10. The last clause depends on
the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so
authoritative.
11. are the Lord's . . . his
work—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed
by men.
12. Rulers are rightly expected,
by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by
righteousness.
14. This wrath, so terrible and
certain, like messengers of death (), can be appeased by the wise.
15. light of . . . countenance—favor
(Psalms 4:6).
life—preserves it, or
gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain—fell
just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable
(Deuteronomy 11:14).
17. The highway—A common,
plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in
departing from evil.
keepeth—observes.
18, 19. (Compare ). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which
produces carelessness, and hence
a fall—literally,
"sliding."
19. divide the spoil—that is,
conquer. Avoid the society of the proud ().
21. wise in heart—who rightly
consider duty.
sweetness of the
lips—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22. Understanding—or,
"discretion," is a constant source of blessing (), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23. The heart is the source of
wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24. (Compare ). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body
health.
26. Diligence is a duty due to
one's self, for his wants require labor.
27. ungodly man—(Compare ).
diggeth up evil—labors
for it.
in his lips . . . fire—His
words are calumniating (James 3:6).
30. He shutteth his eyes—denoting
deep thought (Psalms 64:6).
moving his lips—or,
"biting his lips"—a determined purpose (Psalms 64:6).
31. (Compare ).
if—or, which may
be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Proverbs 3:16;
Proverbs 4:10, that piety is blessed
with long life.
32. (Compare ).
taketh a city—that is,
by fighting.
33. Seemingly the most
fortuitous events are ordered by God.
CHAPTER 16
.
1. preparations—schemes.
in man—or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer . . . Lord—The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
2. clean—or, "faultless."
weigheth—or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Proverbs 21:2; Proverbs 24:12).
3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.
4. for himself—"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psalms 49:5; Jeremiah 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.
5. (Compare ).
6. By mercy and truth—that is, God's (Psalms 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged—expiated (as in Leviticus 16:33; Isaiah 27:9, Hebrew).
7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.
8. (Compare Proverbs 15:6; Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 15:17).
9. (Compare ).
directeth—establisheth.
10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.
11. are the Lord's . . . his work—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.
12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.
13. A specification of the general sentiment of Proverbs 16:12.
14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (), can be appeased by the wise.
15. light of . . . countenance—favor (Psalms 4:6).
life—preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain—fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (Deuteronomy 11:14).
16. (Compare Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 4:5).
17. The highway—A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth—observes.
18, 19. (Compare ). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall—literally, "sliding."
19. divide the spoil—that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud ().
20. handleth a matter—wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare ).
trusteth—(Compare Psalms 2:12; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 118:9).
21. wise in heart—who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22. Understanding—or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24. (Compare ). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.
25. (Compare ).
26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.
27. ungodly man—(Compare ).
diggeth up evil—labors for it.
in his lips . . . fire—His words are calumniating (James 3:6).
28. (Compare Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 10:31).
whisperer—prater, talebearer (Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 26:20).
29. violent man—or, "man of mischief" (Proverbs 3:31).
enticeth— (Proverbs 3:31).
30. He shutteth his eyes—denoting deep thought (Psalms 64:6).
moving his lips—or, "biting his lips"—a determined purpose (Psalms 64:6).
31. (Compare ).
if—or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.
32. (Compare ).
taketh a city—that is, by fighting.
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.