1.
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
1. law [and] commandments—all
divine instructions (see on
and ).
let thine heart keep—or
sincerely observe (Proverbs 4:13;
Proverbs 5:2).
2.
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
2. length . . . life—often
promised as blessings (Psalms 21:4;
Psalms 91:16).
peace—includes
prosperity (Psalms 125:5).
add—abound to thee.
3.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
3. mercy and truth—God's
faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms
(Psalms 25:10; Psalms 57:3).
As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Proverbs 16:6;
Proverbs 20:28).
bind . . . write . . .
heart—outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.
4.
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
4. favour—grace, amiability
(Proverbs 22:11; Psalms 45:2);
united with this,
a good understanding—(Compare
Margin), a discrimination, which secures success.
in the sight . . . man—such
as God and man approve.
5.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
5. Trust . . . heart—This is
the center and marrow of true wisdom (Proverbs 22:19;
Proverbs 28:25). The positive duty has
its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.
6.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
6. ways— ().
acknowledge—by seeking
His wise aid (Proverbs 16:3; Psalms 37:5;
Jeremiah 9:23; Jeremiah 9:24).
direct—literally, "make
plain" (compare Hebrews 12:13).
7.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
7. (Compare Proverbs 27:2;
Romans 12:16).
fear . . . evil—reverentially
regarding His law.
8.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
8. It—This conduct.
health—(Compare
Margin).
to thy navel—for all
the organs of nourishment.
marrow—(Compare
Margin).
bones—frame of body.
True piety promotes bodily health.
9.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
9, 10. (Compare Proverbs 11:25;
Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 18:4;
Isaiah 32:8; 2 Corinthians 9:13).
10.
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
11, 12. The true intent of
afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the
blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17;
Hebrews 12:5; Hebrews 12:6).
12.
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
12. he delighteth—or receiveth
as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced
chastisement.
13.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
13. findeth—literally,
"reaches," or "obtains by seeking."
getteth—literally,
"draws out," as metals by digging.
14.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
14, 15. The figure of carried out.
it—that is, wisdom.
merchandise of
silver—acquisition by trading.
fine gold—dug gold,
solid as a nugget.
15.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
15. rubies—gems, or pearls.
16.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
16, 17. Wisdom personified as
bringing the best blessings (compare Matthew 6:33;
1 Timothy 4:8).
17.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
17. Her ways—such as she
directs us to take.
18.
The is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
18. Wisdom allegorized as
a tree of life—
(Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22)
whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.
19.
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
19, 20. The place of wisdom in
the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in
proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable
attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use
to seek its possession.
20.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
21. sound wisdom—(compare ).
let . . . eyes—that is,
these words of instruction.
22.
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
22-24. assign reasons in their
value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers,
both when waking and sleeping.
23.
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25.
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
25. Be not—or, "You shall
not be."
sudden fear—what causes
it (Proverbs 1:27), any unlooked-for
evil (Psalms 46:3; Psalms 91:12;
1 Peter 3:14).
desolation— (1 Peter 3:14).
26.
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
26. The reason; such as are
objects of God's favor.
be thy confidence—literally,
"in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare
Nahum 3:9, for the same
construction, Hebrew).
27.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
27, 28. Promptly fulfil all
obligations both of justice and charity (compare James 2:15;
James 2:16).
28.
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29.
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
29, 30. Do not abuse confidence
and avoid litigation.
30.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31.
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
31. oppressor—or man of
mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring
their lot (Psalms 37:1; Psalms 37:2;
Psalms 37:35; Psalms 37:36).
32.
For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
32-35. Reasons for the warning.
froward— ().
secret . . . righteous—in
their communion (Amos 3:7).
33.
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
33. curse . . . wicked—It
abides with them, and will be manifested.
34.
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
34. The retribution of sinners,
as in Psalms 18:26.
35.
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
35. inherit—as a portion.
shame—or disgrace, as
opposed to honor.
promotion—(Compare
Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so
fools are signalized by disgrace.