1.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
1-5. Diligence in hearing and
praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of
godliness, the fear of God.
hide . . . with thee—lay
up in store (compare Proverbs 7:1).
2.
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
2. Listen attentively and
reflect seriously (Proverbs 1:24;
Psalms 130:2).
understanding—right
perception of truth.
3.
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
3. Yea, if—literally, "When
if," that is, in such a case.
knowledge—or,
"discrimination."
understanding—as in .
4.
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
4. There must be earnest prayer
and effort.
5.
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
5. understand—or, "perceive
intelligently."
find—obtain.
6.
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
7. sound wisdom—literally,
"substance," opposed to what is fictitious. According to
the context, this may be assistance, as here corresponding with
buckler—or safety, or
wisdom, which procures it (compare Proverbs 3:21;
Proverbs 8:14; Proverbs 18:1;
Job 6:13; Job 12:13).
layeth up—provides,
ever ready.
8.
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
8. keepeth . . . way—God
defends the right way, and those in it.
saints—objects of favor
(compare Psalms 4:3, &c.). He
guides and guards them.
9.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
9. Then—emphatic, in such a
case.
righteousness . . . path—all
parts of duty to God and man.
10.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
10, 11. Idea of , amplified; on terms, compare Proverbs 2:2;
Proverbs 2:4.
11.
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12.
To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
12-15. To deliver—as from
great danger (Proverbs 6:5).
way . . . man— (Proverbs 6:5).
froward things—perversity
(Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 23:23),
what is opposed to truth.
13.
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
13. paths of uprightness—or,
"plainness."
walk—habitually act;
14.
Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
14. and that with pleasure, in
ignorance of good and pursuit of evil.
frowardness—Not only
their own perversity, but that of others is their delight. They love
most the worst things.
15.
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
15. crooked—tortuous,
unprincipled.
froward—literally,
(they) are going back, not only aside from right, but opposite to it.
16.
To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
16-19. Deliverance from another
danger.
the strange woman—This
term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Judges 11:1;
Judges 11:2), married (Proverbs 7:5;
Proverbs 7:19) or not (Proverbs 7:19), so called, because such were, perhaps at first,
foreigners, though "strange" may also denote whatever is
opposed to right or proper, as "strange fire" (Proverbs 7:19); "strange incense" (Proverbs 7:19).
flattereth—literally,
"smooths."
her words— (Proverbs 7:19).
17.
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
17. guide . . . youth—lawful
husband (Jeremiah 3:4).
covenant . . . God—of
marriage made in God's name.
18.
For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
18. inclineth—sinks down
(compare Numbers 13:31).
the dead—or shades of
the departed (Psalms 88:10).
19.
None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
19. that is, such as remain
impenitent (compare Ecclesiastes 7:26).
paths of life— (Ecclesiastes 7:26), opposed to paths unto the dead.
20.
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
20. That . . . way of good—that
is, Such is the object of these warnings.
21.
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
21, 22. (Compare Psalms 37:3;
Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:22;
Psalms 37:27).
22.
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
22. transgressors—or impious
rebels (compare Jeremiah 9:2).
rooted out—utterly
destroyed, as trees plucked up by the roots.