Chapter XXIX
tests character, a man to Ills praise—according to his
Ver. 1-27. 1. hardeneth . . . neck—obstinately refuses counsel (2 Kings 17. 14; Nehemiah 9. 16). destroyed—
praise, as lie bears It. Tlius vain men seek it, weak men are inflated by it, wise men disregard it, &c. 23. The ol)stinate wickedness of such is incurable by the heaviest
lit., shivered or utterly broken to pieces, without remedy —lit., without healing or repairing. 3. (Cf. ch. 11. 10; 28.
Inflictions. 33, 34. flocks—constituted the staple of wealth. It iij only by care and diligence that the most
28.) In autlkority—(Cf. Margin), increased in power,
3. (Cf. ch. 4. 6, 7; 10. 1, &c.) 4. by judgment— i. e., righteous decisions, opposed to tliose procured by gifts (ch. cf.
soli<l possessions can be perpetuated (ch. 23. 5). 35-37. The fact tliat providential arrangements furnish the means of competence to those who properly use Uiem is
28. 21), by which good government is perverted, land
for nation. 5. (Cf. ch. 26. 28.) spreadeth . . . feet—by misleading him as to his real character, the flatterer brings him to evil, prepared liimself or others. 6. In
aiiotlier motive to diligence (cf. Psalm C5 ft-13). liouseItolil—lit., house, the family 16. 15; I Corinthians 1. 16). Tlie hay appearetU— Grass appeareth (Job 40. 15; Psalm 104. 11).
[or. By] tlic transgression—he is brought into difficulty
(ch. 12. 13), but the righteous go on prospering, and .so sing or rejoice. 7. conslderetli lit., knows, as Psalm 1. 6. the cause i.e., In courts of justice (cf. v. 14). The voluntary neglect of it by the wicked (ch. 28. 27) occasions oppres-
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Ver. 1-28. A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold (ch. 14. 26; Psalm 27. 1). 3. Anarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of eaeli. but by a man . . . prolonged—or, "by a man of understanding—i. e., a good ruler—he who knows or regards the riglit, i. e., a good citizen, shall prolong (his days)." Good rulers are a blessing to the people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with good as blessing to the good. 3. A poor man . . . AcSuch, in powef , exact more severely, and so leave subjects
sion. 8. Scornful men—Those who contemptuously disregard God's law. bring— (Cf. Margin), kindle strife, tjirn away [i. e., abate] wrath. 9. contendeth i. e., in law. whether . . . laugln—The fool, whether angry or good-humoured, is unsettled, or referring the words to the wise man, the sense is, that all his eflbrts, severe or gentle, are unavailing to pacify the fool. 10. bloodthirsty—(Cf. Margin), murderers (Psalm 5. 6; 26.9). hate, &c.—(Ch. 1.
11; Genesis 3. 4.) seek . . . soul i. e., to pi'eserve it. 11.
bare. 4. Tlicy that forsake . . . -vvlclted—Wrong-doers encourage one another. 5. (Cf. John 7. 17.) Ignorance of moral trutli is due to unwillingness to know it. 6. (Cf.
(Cf. ch. 12. 16; 16. 32.) mind—or spirit, for anger or any ill passion which the righteous restrain. 12. His servants imitate him. 13. (Cf. ch. 22. 2.) deceitful man lit., man
of vexations, an exactor, tlie Lord . . . tlieir eyes—sustains their lives (1 Samuel 14. 27 ; P.salm 13. 3), i. e.. Both depend on Him, and He will do justice. 14. (Cf. ch. 20.
ell. 10. B.) Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of Itiem afix'ct integrity. 7. (Cf. ch. 17. 25.) riotous men —or, gluttons (ch. 23. 20, 21). 8. usury . . . unjust gain—
(cf. Margin), the two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth. 9. (Cf. ch. 15. 8 ; 21. 27.) hearing—
28; 25. 5.) Such is the character of the King of kings (Psalm 72. 4, 12). 15. (Cf. ch. 13. 21 ; 23. 13.) 16. (Ci. v. 2, 12 ; Psalm 12. 1-8.) shall see . . . fall—and triumpli in It (Psalm 37. .34-38 ; 58. 10, 11). 17. (Cf. v. 3, 10 ; ch. 19. 18. ) give thee rest—peace and quiet (cf. v. 9). 18. no vision—instruction in God's trutlr, which was by propliets, through visions (1 Samuel 3. 1). people perish—(Cf. Margin), are deprived of moral restraints, keepetli the law—has, and observes, instruction (ch. 14. 11, .34; Ps«lm 19. 11). 19.
i. «., obeying. God requires sincere worshippers (Psalm 66.
Its, John 4. 24). 10. (Cf. ch. 26. 27.) 11. A poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.
14. great glorj-—or, cause for It to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation
(ch. U. 34). a man . . . hidden i. e., the good retire, or
A servant—who lacks good principle, corrected—or dis- • covered, will not answer i. e., obey. 30. (Cf. ch. 21. 5.) hasty in . . . words—implying self-conceit (ch. '26. 12). . 31. become his son—assume the place and privileges of one. 33. (Cf. ch. 15. 18.) Such are delighted by discord ami >
all kinds try to escape a wicked rule. 13. (Cf. Psalm 32.
3-5.) Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He .shows mercy to the humble penitent (Psalm 51. 4). 14. fcareth i. e., God, and so repents, hardeneth Iiis heart—makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (cli. 14. 16; 29. 1). 15. The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (cf. Psalm
violence. 33. (Cf. ch. 16. 18; 18. 12.) honour . . . spirit—or^ such shall lay hold on honour (ch. 11. 16). 34. hateth . . . soul—(Cf. ch. 8. 36.) hcaretli cursing—(Leviticus 5. .1), risks the punishment, rather tlian reveal truth. 35. Thefear . . . snare—involves men in diflSculty (cf. v. 6). shall ', be safe—(Cf. Margin; ch. 18. 10.) 26. (Cf. Margin; Psalm ,
7. 2; 17. 12). 16. Tlie prince . . . understanding i. e.. He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the con-
trast. 17. doeth violence . . . blood, &c.—or, that is oppressed Ijy the blood of life (Genesis 9. 6), which he has taken—pit— or even to the pit, the grave or destruction
27. 8.) God alone will and can do exact justice. 37'. ,(G£. . ^ ch. 3. 32.) On last clause of v. 16 ; Psalm 37. 12.
(ch. 1. 12 ; Job 33. 18-24; Psalm 143. 7). stay him—sustain or deliver him. 18. (Cf. ch. 10.9; 17.20.) Double dealing is eventually fatal. 19. (Cf. ch. 10. 4; 20. 4.) vain persons