1.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
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.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
2. clean—or, "faultless."
weigheth—or, "tries,"
"judges," implying that they are faulty (Proverbs 21:2;
Proverbs 24:12).
3.
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
3. (Compare Margin). Rely
on God for success to your lawful purposes.
4.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
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.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
5. (Compare ).
6.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
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.
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
7. Persecutions, of course,
excepted.
8.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
8. (Compare Proverbs 15:6;
Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 15:17).
9.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
9. (Compare ).
directeth—establisheth.
10.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
10. The last clause depends on
the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so
authoritative.
11.
A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
11. are the Lord's . . . his
work—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed
by men.
12.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
12. Rulers are rightly expected,
by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by
righteousness.
13.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
13. A specification of the
general sentiment of Proverbs 16:12.
14.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
14. This wrath, so terrible and
certain, like messengers of death (), can be appeased by the wise.
15.
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
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.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
16. (Compare Proverbs 3:16;
Proverbs 4:5).
17.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
17. The highway—A common,
plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in
departing from evil.
keepeth—observes.
18.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
18, 19. (Compare ). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which
produces carelessness, and hence
a fall—literally,
"sliding."
19.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
19. divide the spoil—that is,
conquer. Avoid the society of the proud ().
20.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
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.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
21. wise in heart—who rightly
consider duty.
sweetness of the
lips—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
22. Understanding—or,
"discretion," is a constant source of blessing (), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
23. The heart is the source of
wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
24. (Compare ). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body
health.
25.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
25. (Compare ).
26.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
26. Diligence is a duty due to
one's self, for his wants require labor.
27.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
27. ungodly man—(Compare ).
diggeth up evil—labors
for it.
in his lips . . . fire—His
words are calumniating (James 3:6).
28.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
28. (Compare Proverbs 6:14;
Proverbs 10:31).
whisperer—prater,
talebearer (Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 26:20).
29.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
29. violent man—or, "man
of mischief" (Proverbs 3:31).
enticeth— (Proverbs 3:31).
30.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
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.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
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.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
32. (Compare ).
taketh a city—that is,
by fighting.
33.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
33. Seemingly the most
fortuitous events are ordered by God.