1.
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
1-4. The publicity and
universality of the call contrast with the secrecy and intrigues of
the wicked (Proverbs 7:8, &c.).
2.
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4.
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
5. wisdom—literally,
"subtilty" in a good sense, or, "prudence."
fools—as .
6.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
6. excellent things—or,
"plain," "manifest."
opening . . . things—upright
words.
7.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
7. For . . . truth—literally,
"My palate shall meditate," or (as Orientals did) "mutter,"
my thoughts expressed only to myself are truth.
wickedness—specially
falsehood, as opposed to truth.
8.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
8. in righteousness—or,
"righteous" (Psalms 9:8).
froward—literally,
"twisted," or contradictory, that is, to truth.
9.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
9. plain . . . understandeth—easily
seen by those who apply their minds.
that find—implying
search.
10.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
10. not silver—preferable to
it, so last clause implies comparison.
11.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
11. (Compare Proverbs 3:14;
Proverbs 3:15).
12.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
12. prudence—as in . The connection of "wisdom" and "prudence"
is that of the dictates of sound wisdom and its application.
find . . . inventions—or,
"devices," "discreet ways" ().
13.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
13. For such is the effect of
the fear of God, by which hatred to evil preserves from it.
froward mouth—or,
"speech" (Proverbs 2:12;
Proverbs 6:14).
14.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
14. It also gives the elements
of good character in counsel.
sound wisdom— ().
I . . . strength—or,
"As for me, understanding is strength to me," the source of
power (Ecclesiastes 9:16); good judgment
gives more efficiency to actions;
15.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
15, 16. of which a wisely
conducted government is an example.
16.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
17. early—or, "diligently,"
which may include the usual sense of early in life.
18.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
18. durable riches . . .
righteousness—Such are the "riches," enduring sources
of happiness in moral possessions (compare ).
19.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
19. (Compare Proverbs 8:11;
Proverbs 3:16).
20.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
20, 21. The courses in which
wisdom leads conduct to a true present prosperity ().
21.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
22-31. Strictly, God's
attributes are part of Himself. Yet, to the poetical structure of the
whole passage, this commendation of wisdom is entirely consonant. In
order of time all His attributes are coincident and eternal as
Himself. But to set forth the importance of wisdom as devising the
products of benevolence and power, it is here assigned a precedence.
As it has such in divine, so should it be desired in human, affairs
(compare Proverbs 3:19).
possessed—or,
"created"; in either sense, the idea of precedence.
in the beginning—or
simply, "beginning," in apposition with "me."
before . . . of old—preceding
the most ancient deeds.
23.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
23. I was set up—ordained, or
inaugurated (Psalms 2:6). The other
terms carry out the idea of the earliest antiquity, and illustrate it
by the details of creation [Psalms 2:6].
24.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
24. brought forth—(Compare ).
abounding—or, "laden
with water."
25.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
25. settled—that is, sunk in
foundations.
26.
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
26. fields—or, "out
places," "deserts," as opposite to (habitable)
"world."
highest part—or, "sum,"
all particles together,
27.
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
27. when he set . . . depth—marked
out the circle, according to the popular idea of the earth, as
circular, surrounded by depths on which the visible concave heavens
rested.
28.
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
28. established . . . deep—that
is, so as to sustain the waters above and repress those below the
firmament (Genesis 1:7-11;
Job 26:8).
29.
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
29. commandment—better, the
shore, that is, of the sea.
foundations—figuratively
denotes the solid structure (Job 38:4;
Psalms 24:2).
30.
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
30, 31. one brought up—an
object of special and pleasing regard. The bestowal of wisdom on men
is represented by its finding a delightful residence and pleasing
God.
31.
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32.
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
32-36. Such an attribute men are
urged to seek.
33.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
34. watching . . .
waiting—literally, "so as to watch"; wait, denoting a
most sedulous attention.
35.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
35. (Compare Luke 13:23;
Luke 13:24).
36.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
36. sinneth . . . me—or
better, "missing me," as opposed to "finding" [].
love death—act as if
they did (compare Proverbs 17:9).