Part 81
5. Beset me - With thy all-seeing providence. And laid - Thou keepest me, as it were with a strong hand, in thy sight and under thy power.
6. I cannot - Apprehend in what manner thou dost so presently know all things. 8. Hell - If I could hide myself in the lowest parts of the earth. 9. The wings - If I should flee from east to west: for the sea being the western border of Canaan, is often put for the west in scripture. And wings are poetically ascribed to the morning here, as they are elsewhere to the sun, and to the winds.
16. Imperfect - When I was first conceived. Book - In thy counsel and providence, by which thou didst contrive and effect this great work, according to that model which thou hadst appointed.
17. Thoughts - Thy counsels on my behalf. Thou didst not only form me at first, but ever since my conception and birth, thy thoughts have been employed for me.
18. Them - Thy wonderful counsels and works on my behalf come constantly into my mind. 22. Perfect hatred - See the difference between the Jewish and the Christian spirit!
David prays and hopes for deliverance from his enemies, ver. 1-7. Foretells their destruction, ver. 8-13. To the chief musician, A psalm of David.
3. Tongues - Using words as sharp and piercing as the sting of a serpent. 9. Mischief - The mischief which they design against me, shall fall upon themselves. 10. Coals - Divine vengeance, which is compared to coals of fire. 13. Dwell - Shall constantly enjoy thy gracious and powerful presence.
David prays for acceptance and assistance, ver. 1-6. For the deliverance of himself and friends, ver. 7-10. A psalm of David.
4. Incline not - Suffer it not to be inclined. Heart - Keep me not only from wicked speeches, but from all evil motions of my heart. Dainties - The pleasures or advantages which they gain by their wickedness.
5. Smite - By reproofs. Break - Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me. Calamities - In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.
6. Judges - The chief of mine enemies. Overthrown - Or, cast down headlong by thine exemplary vengeance. Hear - Hearken unto my counsels and offers which now they despise.
7. Our bones - Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.
David complains to God and trusts in him, ver. 1-7 Maschil of David; A prayer when he was in the cave.
3. Knowest - So as to direct me to it. My path - What paths I should chuse whereby I might escape.
4. Right-hand - The place where the patron or assistant used to stand. 5. Portion - Even in this life. 7. Prison - Set me at liberty. Compass - Shall flock to me from all parts, to rejoice and bless God with me and for me.
David complains and prays for pardon and help, ver. 1-12. A psalm of David.
2. Justified - Upon terms of strict justice. 3. For - This is not a reason of what he last said, but an argument to enforce his petition delivered, ver. 1. Soul - My life; nothing less will satisfy him. Dead - I am in as hopeless a condition in the eye of man, as those that have lain long in the grave.
5. The days - What thou hast done for thy servants in former times. 6. As land - Thirsteth for rain.
8. Morning - Seasonably and speedily.
David blesses God for his mercies, ver. 1-4. Prays against his enemies, ver. 5-8. Promises to praise him, ver.9-11. The happiness of those who serve God, ver. 12-15. A psalm of David.
2. Subdued - Who hath disposed my peoples hearts to receive and obey me as their king. 5. Come - To help me. Smoke - As Sinai did at thy glorious appearance, Exod. xix, 18. This is a figurative and poetical description of God's coming to take vengeance upon his enemies.
7. Strange children - Either of the Heathen nations: or of the rebellious Israelites. 8. Vanity - Vain brags and threatenings which shall come to nothing. Falsehood - Deceiving themselves, by being unable to do what they designed; and others, by not giving them that help which they promised.
12. That - This mercy I beg not only for my own sake, but for the sake of thy people, that they may enjoy those blessings which thou hast promised them; and particularly, that our sons, who are the strength and hopes of a nation, may be like plants, flourishing and growing in height and strength, as plants do in their youth; for when they grow old, they wither and decay. Cornerstone - Strong and beautiful.
14. Breaking in - Of enemies invading the land, or assaulting our cities, and making breaches in their walls. Going out - Of our people, either out of the cities to fight with an invading enemy: or out of the land into captivity.
This also is an alphabetical psalm. In it David praises God for his greatness, ver. 1-7. For his goodness and everlasting kingdom, ver. 8-13. For his providence, ver. 14-16. For his mercy to his servants, ver. 17-21. David's psalm of praise.
14. All - All that look up to him for help. 15. All - Of all living creatures. Wait - Expect their supplies wholly from thy bounty. Expectation is here figuratively ascribed to brute creatures.
18. Nigh - To answer their prayers. In truth - With an upright heart.
The psalmist praises God, and exhorts all to trust in him alone, ver. 1-5. Because of his power, faithfulness and everlasting kingdom, ver. 6-10.
4. That day - As soon as ever he is dead. Thoughts - All his designs and endeavours either for himself or for others.
6. For ever - Both because he liveth for ever to fulfil his promises, and because he is eternally faithful.
The psalmist praises God for his care over the church, ver. 1-14. His government over all, ver. 15-18. His giving his word to Israel, ver. 19, 20.
4. Calleth them - He exactly knows them as we do those whom we can call by name. 9. Ravens - Which he mentions because they were most contemptible, especially to the Jews, to whom they were unclean: and because they are not only neglected by men, but also forsaken by their dams as soon as ever they can fly, and so are wholly left to the care of Divine providence.
10. Delighteth not - As if he needed either the one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs.
13. Thy gates - Thy strength consists not in thy walls, and gates, and bars, but in his protection. 14. Borders - In all thy land, even to its utmost borders. 15. Commandment - Which is sufficient without any instruments to execute whatsoever pleaseth him. Swiftly - The thing is done without delay.
16. Like wool - Not only in colour and shape, and softness, but also in use, keeping the fruits of the earth warm. Ashes - In colour and smallness of parts, as also in its burning quality.
17. Ice - Great hail-stones, which are of an icy nature, and are cast forth out of the clouds, like morsels or fragments.
An exhortation to all creatures in heaven and earth, man especially, to praise God, ver. 1-14.
4. Heavens of heavens - Ye highest heavens, the place of God's throne. Waters - Ye clouds which are above a part of the heavens.
6. Established - He hath made them constant and incorruptible, not changeable, as the things of the lower world. A decree - Concerning their continuance.
7. Dragons - Either serpents, which hide in the deep caverns of the earth; or whales, and other sea-monsters, which dwell in the depths of the sea.
8. Fire - Lightnings and other fireworks of the air. Vapor - Or, fumes: hot exhalations. Fulfilling his word - Executing his commands, either for the comfort or punishment of the inhabitants of the earth.
13. Above - Above all the glories which are in earth and in heaven. 14. The horn - In scripture commonly denotes strength, victory, glory, and felicity.
An exhortation to praise God for his love to his people, ver. 1-5. And for enabling them to overcome their enemies, ver. 69.
4. The Lord - He rejoiceth over them to do them good. Beautify - Hebrew. adorn, make them amiable and honourable in the eyes of the world, who now hate and despise them. The meek - All true Israelites are such.
5. In glory - For the honour which God putteth upon them. Beds - By night as well as by day. 7. Vengeance - For all their cruelties and injuries towards God's people. This was literally accomplished by David upon the Philistines, Ammonites, Syrians and other neighbouring nations.
9. Written - Appointed and declared in the holy scripture.
An exhortation to praise God with all sorts of musical instruments, ver. 1-6.
1. Sanctuary - In his temple. The firmament - In heaven: there let the blessed angels praise him. 6. Also - Every living creature in heaven and in earth.
NOTES ON THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
WE have here a new way of writing, wherein Divine wisdom is taught us in Proverbs or short sentences, which contain their whole design within themselves, and are not connected with one another. And these Proverbs of Solomon are not merely a collection of the wise sayings which had been formerly delivered, but were the dictates of the Spirit of God in Solomon: so that it is God by Solomon that here speaks to us. I say, to us: for when Solomon speaks to his son, St. Paul says,
The exhortation speaketh to us, as unto children. The nine first chapters are as a preface exhorting us to the study and practice of wisdom, and warning us against the things that would hinder it. We have then the first volume of Solomon's Proverbs, chap. 10-24. After that a second volume, chap. 25-29. And then Agur's prophecy, chap. 30. And Lemuel's, chap. 31. The scope of all is, to direct us so to order our conversation, that we may see the salvation of God.
The title of the book, shewing the general design of it, ver. 1-6. The first principle of it recommended, ver. 7-9. A caution against bad company, ver. 10-19. Wisdom's reasonings with the sons of men, and the certain ruin of those who will not hearken unto them, ver. 20-33.
2. To know - Written to help men to know throughly and practically. Both human wisdom to conduct our affairs in this life, and Divine wisdom. Instruction - The instructions delivered either by God, or men, in order to the attainment of wisdom. To perceive - Which teach a man true understanding.
3. To receive - Willing to receive the counsels of others. Such as makes men wise and prudent, and to teach just judgments or equity.
4. Simple - Such as want wisdom. Young man - Who wants both experience and self-government. 5. Will hear - Is willing to learn. Attain to - The art of governing himself or others. 7. The fear - Reverence and obedience to God. Beginning - The foundation without which all other knowledge is vain. Fools - That is, wicked men, are so far from attaining true wisdom, that they despise it, and all the means of getting it.
8. My son - He speaks to his scholars with paternal authority and affection. Of thy mother - Those pious instructions, which thy mother instilled into thee in thy tender years.
17. In vain - The fowler who spreads, his net in the sight of the bird looseth his labour. But these, are more foolish than the silly birds, and though they are not ignorant of the mischief which these evil courses will bring upon themselves, yet they will not take warning.
18. Their own blood - The destruction which they design to others, fall upon themselves. 19. Greedy - That seeks gain by wicked practices. 20. Wisdom - Having expressed the counsels of wicked men, he now declares the voice of wisdom. By wisdom he understands the wisdom of God revealed to men in his word. And this is said to cry with a loud voice, to intimate God's earnestness in inviting sinners to repentance. Abroad - Or, in the streets or open places. Not in corners, but openly before all the world.
21. Gates - Where magistrates sit in judgment, and people are assembled. The city - Not only in the gate, but in every part of the city.
22. Scoffers - That scoff at religion and contemn the word and faithful ministers of God. 23. My words - By my spirit I will cause you to understand my word. 24. Called - By my ministers, by my judgments, and by the motions of my spirit and your own conscience.
26. Your fear - The misery you do or should fear.
28. Early - With diligence and fervency. 29. Knowledge - The practical knowledge of God and of their duty. 31. Eat - They should receive punishment answerable to their sins. Filled - With the fruits of them.
32. Turning - From God. Destroy - Shall prove the occasion of their ruin, by making them presumptuous, and secure.
Solomon shews, that they who diligently seek wisdom shall find it, ver. 1-9. He shews the advantage of it, that it would preserve them from evil men, ver. 10-15. And evil women, ver. 16-19. And would lead them into, and keep them in the way of good men, ver. 20-22.
1. Hide - Lay them up in thy heart with care, as men do their choicest treasures. 3. Criest - To God, the only giver of it. 4. Seek her - With unwearied diligence and earnest desire and patient expectation. 8. Path of judgment - Righteous paths, judgment being here put for righteousness. And keeping of paths may be put for keeping them in their paths.
9. Then - When God in answer to thy desires hath given thee wisdom. Equity - All the parts of thy duty to man, as well as the fear of God.
10. When - Thou dost truly love wisdom. 13. Darkness - Of sin. 15. Crooked - Who swerve from the straight way of God's law, and have windings and turnings, to escape conviction.
16. Strange woman - From the adulteress or whore. 17. Forsaketh - Her husband whom she took to be her guide and governor, in her youth. The covenant - The marriage covenant: so called because God is the author of that mutual obligation: and because God is called to be the witness and judge of that solemn promise and covenant.
18. For - Conversation with her (which was most usual in her own house) is the certain way to death, which it brings many ways, and undoubtedly, without repentance, to God's wrath and the second death.
20. That - This depends upon ver. 11, and is mentioned as another happy fruit of wisdom.
An exhortation to be steadily religious, ver. 1-4. To trust God, ver. 5, 6. To fear him, ver. 7, 8. To honour him with our substance, ver. 9, 10. To bear affliction well, ver. 11-12. The praise of wisdom, ver. 13-20. The good effects of adhering to it, ver. 21-26. Caution, against uncharitableness, strife, envy; if we would avoid a curse and inherit a blessing, ver. 27-35.
1. My law - The law of God, which might be called his law, as the gospel is called Paul's gospel, 2Tim ii, 8, because delivered by him. 3. Mercy - Mercy denotes all benignity, charity, and readiness to do good to others: truth or faithfulness respects all those duties which we owe to God or man, which we have special obligation from the rules of justice. Bind them - Like a chain, wherewith persons adorn their necks. Table - In thy mind and heart, in which all God's commands are to be received and engraven.
4. Understanding - Whereby to know thy duty, and to discern between good and evil. Of God - Grace or favour with God, and that understanding which is good in God's sight.
5. Trust - Wholly rely upon God's promises and providences. Lean not - Under this one kind of carnal confidence, he understands all other confidence in bodily strength, wealth, or friends.
8. Navel - To thy body, which is signified by one part of it. Marrow - Which is the nourishment and strength of the bones.
9. Substance - Lay out thy estate not to please thyself, but to glorify God. First-fruits - Or, with the chief or best; which answers to the first-fruits under the law.
10. So - This is not the way to diminish thy estate, but rather to increase it. 11. Despise not - Either by making light of it, or not being duly affected with it; or by accounting it an unnecessary thing: but rather esteem it a privilege and favour from God. Weary - Neither think it tedious or hard, but endure it with patience and chearfulness.
13. Findeth - Which supposes his diligent searching for it. 17. Peace - Procure a blessed tranquility in a man's mind and conscience. 18. A tree - A pledge of everlasting life. He alludes to the tree of life, and intimates, that this is the only restorer of that life which we have lost by sin.
19. Wisdom - Either by Christ, or by that Divine perfection of wisdom, which is the fountain of wisdom in man.
20. The depths - That great abyss contained in the bowels of the earth, breaks forth into fountains and rivers.
21. Eyes - The eyes of thy mind. Constantly and seriously meditate upon them. 22. Grace - Like a beautiful chain or ornament. 25. Be not - Thou shalt not be afraid. Sudden - For sudden and unexpected evils are most frightful. And fear is here put for the evils feared. Desolation - Which cometh upon the wicked.
26. Shall be - A sure ground of confidence to thee. Taken - In the snares either of sin or mischief. 27. With-hold not - Do not deny it, but readily and chearfuly impart it. Good - Any thing which is good, either counsel, comfort, reproof, or the good things of the present life. Due - That is, to all men, by that great and sovereign law of love.
28. Say not - The former verse forbad the denial, and this forbids the delay of this duty. 29. Securely - Relying upon thine integrity. 31. Envy not - For his impunity and success. 32. Abomination - Therefore sooner or later he must be miserable. The righteous - They are God's friends, to whom he imparts the favours and comforts to which other men are strangers.
33. The house - Not only upon his own person, but also upon his posterity. 35. Shame - Instead of that glory which they seek.
An exhortation to the study of wisdom, is forced by various arguments, ver. 1-13. A caution against bad company, ver. 14-19. Directions for the attaining and keeping of wisdom, ver. 20-27.
1. A father - Of me, who have paternal authority over you and affection for you. 3. Tender - Young and tender in years, and tenderly educated. Only beloved - Beloved above all the rest.
4. Said - The following verses, at least as far as the tenth verse, are the words of David. 7. With all - Even with the price of all. 8. Exalt - Let her have thine highest esteem and affection. 9. Grace - A beautiful ornament, such as they used to put upon their heads. 16. For - They cannot sleep with quietness. 17. For - Wickedness is as pleasant to them as their bread. 18. But - Just men daily grow in knowledge, and grace, and consolation, 'till all be perfected and swallowed up in glory.
19. Darkness - Full of ignorance and error, of uncertainty and confusion, of danger and misery. 23. Heart - Thy thoughts, will, and affections. For - From thence proceed all the actions, as of the natural, so of the spiritual life, which lead to eternal life.
24. Mouth - All sorts of sinful words. 25. Right on - Direct all thine actions to a right end, and keep thy mind fixed upon that way which leads to it, and neither look or turn aside to the right-hand or the left.
26. Ponder - Consider thine actions before thou dost them, and see that they agree with the rule. And - Let thine actions be uniformly and constantly good in spite of all temptations.
A farther exhortation to wisdom, ver. 1, 2. A caution against whoredom, ver. 3-14. Remedies against it, ver. 15-23.
3. The lips - It concerns thee to get and to use discretion, that thou mayest be able to resist those temptations to which thou art exposed.
4. But - The effect of that to which she entices men, is destruction. 5. Feet - Her manner of life. 6. Lest - To prevent thy serious consideration. Moveable - She transforms herself into several shapes, and has a thousand arts to ensnare. Know - Thou canst not discover all her practice.
9. honour - Thy dignity and reputation, the strength of thy body and mind. Years - The flower of thine age. The cruel - To the harlot, who though she pretends love, yet in truth is one of the most cruel creatures in the world, wasting thy estate and body without pity, and damming thy soul for
ever. 10. Strangers - Not only the strange women themselves, but others who are in league with them. labours - Wealth gotten by thy labours.
14. A moment - In how little a time am I now come into remediless misery! Assembly - And that in the congregation of Israel, where I was taught better things.
15. Drink - Content thyself with those delights which God alloweth thee in the sober use of the marriage-bed.
16. Fountains - Thy children proceeding from thy wife and from thyself. Fountains are here put for rivers flowing from them. Dispersed - They shall in due time appear abroad to thy comfort, and for the good of others.
18. Fountain - Thy wife. Blessed - With children; for barrenness was esteemed a curse among the Israelites.
19. Satisfy thee - At all convenient times: for that there may be excess in the marriage-bed is manifest. Ravished - Love her fervently. It is an hyperbolical expression.
22. Holden - He is in perfect bondage to his lusts, and is neither able nor wiling to set himself at liberty.
23. Die - He shall die in his sins. Astray-From the way of life, and from eternal salvation.
A caution against suretyship, ver. 1-5. Against slothfulness, ver. 6-11. The practice and end of a mischievous man, ver. 12-15. Account of seven things which God hates, ver. 16-19. An exhortation to keep the commandments, ver. 20-23. Farther warnings against whoredom, ver. 24-35.
1. Surety - Rashly, without considering how thou shalt discharge the debt as occasion require. Otherwise suretyship in some cases may be not only lawful, but an act of justice and charity. Stricken thy hand - Obliged thyself by giving thine hand, as the custom then was in such cases. With - With the creditor, whom he calls a stranger, because the usurers in Israel, who lent money to others, upon condition of paying use for it, were either Heathens, or were reputed as bad as Heathens, because this practice was forbidden by God's law, Deut. xxiii, 19.
3. Hand - Into the power. Friend - Of the debtor, for whom, as being thy friend, thou didst become surety; whereby thou art in his power, by his neglect or unfaithfulness, to expose thee to the payment of the debt. Make sure - Or, and prevail with thy friend, strive to win him by thine incessant and earnest solicitations.
4. Give not sleep - Until thou hast taken care for the discharge of this obligation. 6. Go - This is a distinct precept; and it is for the most part as needless to seek, as hard to find, coherence in the Proverbs.
11. Travelleth - Swiftly and unexpectedly. Armed man - Irresistibly. 16. Hate - Above many other sins which have a worse name in the world. 18. Deviseth - He whose practice it is to contrive wickedness. Swift - Such as greedily execute their wicked designs.
20. The law - The word of God, which thy parents delivered to thee.
21. Bind them - Constantly remember, and duly consider them. 22. It - The law of God which thy parents have taught thee. Talk - It shall give thee counsel and comfort.
25. Eye-lids - With her wanton glances, 30. Despise - Abhor, but rather pity him. 31. Restore - He speaks not of that restitution which the law required, but of that which either the wronged person might force the thief to make, or which the thief would willingly give rather than be exposed to public shame.
34. Rage - It enflames a man with rage. In the day - When he hath an opportunity to avenge himself.
An exhortation to cleave to wisdom, as a preservative from strange women, ver. 1-5. The snares they lay for unwary young men, ver. 6-23. A serious caution against coming near them, ver. 24-37.
2. Live - Thou shalt live. Eye - With all possible care and diligence. 3. Bind them - As a ring which is continually in a man's eye. 4. And call - Acquaint and delight thyself with her. 8. Passing - Idle and careless, near the corner of the street in which her house stood. 12. Without - Without the door of her house. Corner - Of the streets, where she might either conceal or discover herself, as she saw fit.
14. Offerings - I have paid my peace-offerings which I had vowed. Whereby she signifies, that she had plentiful provisions at her house for his entertainment. For the peace-offerings were to be of the best flesh, Lev. xxii, 21, and a considerable part of these offerings fell to the offerer's share.
20. Hath taken - Which is an evidence that he designs to stay a considerable time. At the day - So that we need not fear any surprise.
22. As an ox - Going to it securely, as if it were going to a good pasture. 23. His liver - His vital parts, 'till his life be lost.
A recommendation of Divine wisdom, ver. 1-21. The praise of the Son of God, the eternal Wisdom of the Father, ver. 22-31. An exhortation to hearken to him, ver. 32-36.
1. Wisdom - It is a great question what this wisdom is. Some understand it of the Divine wisdom; others of the second person in the Godhead: and it cannot be denied that some passages best agree
to the former, and others to the latter opinion. Possibly both may be joined together, and the chapter may be understood of Christ considered partly in his personal capacity, and partly in regard of his office, which was to impart the mind and will of God to mankind.
2. High place - Where she may be best seen and heard. Paths - Where many paths meet, where there is a great concourse, and where travelers may need direction.
3. Gates - The places of judgment, and of the confluence of people. The entry - To invite passengers at their first coming and to conduct them to her house. The doors - Of her house.
4. O men - To all men without exception. 5. Ye simple - Who want knowledge, and experience. Fools - Wilful sinners. 9. To him - Whose mind God hath enlightened. To them - That are truly wise. 10. And not silver - Rather than silver. 12. I dwell - My inseparable companion is prudence to govern all my actions, and to direct the actions of others. Find out - I help men to find out. Inventions - Of all ingenious contrivances for the glory of God, and for the good of men.
14. Wisdom - All solid and substantial and useful wisdom is assential to me. 15. By me - They rule their kingdoms wisely and justly, by my counsel and assistance. Their injustice is from themselves, but all the good they do, they owe to my conduct.
17. I love - I do not despise their love, but kindly accept it and recompence it with my love and favour. Early - With sincere affection and diligence, which he mentions as the evidence of their love.
21. Substance - Substantial happiness: opposed to all worldly enjoyments, which are but mere shadows.
22. Possessed me - As his son by eternal generation, before the beginning. Of old - His works of creation.
23. Set up - Hebrew. anointed, constituted to be the person by whom the Father resolved to do all his works, to create, to uphold and govern and judge, to redeem and save the world. From the beginning - Before which, there was nothing but a vast eternity. The earth - Which together with the heaven, was the first of God's visible works.
24. No depths - No abyss or deep waters. Brought forth - Begotten of my father. 26. The earth - The dry land called earth after it was separated from the waters Gen. i, 10. Fields - The plain and open parts of the earth distinguished from the mountains. Dust - Of this lower part of the world which consists of dust.
27. I was there - As co-worker with my Father. Depth - Of that great abyss of water and earth mixed together, which is called both earth and water and the deep, Gen. i, 2, when he made this lower world in the form of a globe.
28. Strengthened - When he shut up the fountains in the cavities of the earth, and kept them there as it were by a strong band. The deep - Which have their original from the deep, either from the sea, or from the abyss of waters in the bowels of the earth.
31. My delights were - To uphold them by my power and providence, to reveal myself and my Father's will to them from age to age, to assume their nature, and to redeem and save them.
34. Waiting - As servants or clients, wait at the doors of princes or persons of eminency.
Christ, under the name of wisdom invites us to his entertainment, ver. 1-6. Foretells the different successes of his invitation, ver. 7-9. Shews the fruit of fearing God, ver. 10-12. Sin, in the person of a foolish woman invites us to her entertainment, ver. 13-17. Which ends in destruction, ver. 18
1. Her house - For the reception of her guests. Seven - Many pillars; whereby is intimated the beauty and stability of the church. Pillars - Prophets, and apostles, and ministers.
2. Killed - Made provision for the guests. Mingled - With water, as they used to do in those hot countries. Furnished - With all necessaries, and now waits for the guests.
3. Maidens - Her servants to invite the guests, ministers of the word whom he calls maidens for the decency of the parable; for wisdom being compared to a great princess, was fit to be attended upon by maidens. Highest places - From such high seats as those from which Judges delivered their sentences, and officers made proclamations.
4. Simple - Ignorant, and weak. 7. A former - He shews whom he meant by the foolish, ver. 6, even scorners and wicked men, and presses his last advice of forsaking them because there was no good, but hurt to be got from them.
8. A scorner - An obstinate and incorrigible sinner. 12. For thyself - Thou dost not profit me but thyself. 14. At the door - Watching for occasions of sin. 15. Go right - Who are going innocently about their business. 16. Simple - This title is not given them by her, but by Solomon. 17. Sweet - From the difficulty of obtaining them; and because the very prohibition renders them more grateful to corrupt nature.
Here the Proverbs, properly so called, begin. They are short, but weighty sentences, most of which are two sentences in one verse, illustrating each other. But it is seldom there is any coherence between the verses, much less any thread of discourse.
2. Of wickedness - Such as are got by any sort of wicked practices. Death - Often from temporal, and always from eternal death.
5. Gathereth - The fruits of his field. In summer - In harvest. He that improved the opportunities of doing good to himself and others.
6. Violence - Their own violence or injustice. This may be an allusion to the ancient custom of covering the mouths and faces of condemned malefactors.
8. Who receive - Is ready to hear and obey the precepts of God and men. Fall - Into mischief.
9. Surely - Or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies; quietly resting upon God's favour and gracious providence for his protections. Known - His wickedness shall be publickly discovered.
10. Winketh - That secretly designs mischief against others, as this phrase is used, Psalm xxxv, 19. 13. Wisdom - This wisdom shews itself in his speech. A rod - Rebukes from God and men. 14. Lay up - In their minds, to be brought forth upon fit occasions. Knowledge - Whereby they may be enabled to speak both what, and when it is seasonable. But - Fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves.
15. Wealth - It often redeems him from dangers and calamities. Poverty - Is the cause of their ruin.
16. The labour - The fruit of his labour, to the preservation of this life, and obtaining eternal life. Fruit - The fruit of all their labour tends to sin, and serves only for fuel to mens pride and luxury.
18. Lying lips - With flattering words. He here condemns two opposite vices, secret hatred, and manifest slander.
20. Is - Of great worth and use. Heart - And consequently the tongue. 21. Feed - By their wise discourses and counsels. Die - They have not wisdom to preserve themselves, much less to feed others.
26. So - Unserviceable and vexatious. 28. Gladness - Shall be accomplished, and turned into enjoyment. 29. The way - The way of God's precepts. Strength - Gives strength, support, and protection. 30. Never be removed - They shall live happily here, and eternally in heaven. The earth - They shall not have so much as a quiet abode upon earth; much less shall they have any possession in heaven.
32. The lips - Knowledge is here ascribed to the lips, as it is to the hands, Psalm lxxviii, 72, because they are conducted by knowledge and wisdom. Acceptable - What is truly worthy of acceptation.
XI 1. A false balance - The use of all false weights and measures in commerce. 8. Cometh - Into trouble. 9. Delivered - From the infection of the hypocrite's evil counsel. 11. The blessing - Wherewith they bless the city, by their sincere prayers, and wise and wholesome counsels. The mouth - By their curses, and oaths, and blasphemies, and wicked counsels.
12. Despiseth - Which he shews by contemptuous or reproachful expressions. Holdeth peace - Forbears all such expressions, and silently and patiently bears those reproaches.
13. Secrets - Such things as were committed to his trust with a charge of secrecy. 16. Gracious woman - A woman endued with the grace of God. Retaineth - Or, holdeth fast her honour, or reputation.
18. Worketh - A work which will deceive his expectation. Soweth - That worketh it with constancy, and diligence.
21. Though hand join - Though they are fortified against God's judgments by a numerous issue and kindred, and friends, and by mutual and strong combinations. The seed - Not only their persons, but their children.
22. So is a fair woman without discretion - "Of beauty vain, of virtue void, What art thou in the sight of God? A slave to every base desire, A creature wallowing in the mire. Go, gaudy pageant of a day, Thy folly, with thy face display: Set all thy charms and graces out, And shew - the Jewel in thy snout!"
23. The desire - The desires and expectations of the righteous shall end in their happiness, but the desires and expectations of the wicked men shall be disappointed, and end in the wrath of God.
24. Scattereth - That gives liberally. Increaseth - Through God's blessing upon his estate. Poverty - By God's providence secretly blasting his estate.
25. Fat - Shall be enriched both with temporal and spiritual blessings. 26. With-holdeth corn - In a time of scarcity. Selleth - Upon reasonable terms. 27. Seeketh - To do good to all men. favour - With God and men. 29. Troubleth - He who brings trouble upon himself and children, either by prodigality, or by restless endeavours to heap up riches. Wind - Shall be as unable to keep what he gets as a man is to hold the wind in his hand.
30. The fruit - His discourses and his whole conversation, is like the fruit of the tree of life. Winneth - That gains souls to God.
31. Recompensed - Punished for his sins. XII 6. Lie in wait - Are designed to entrap others, and to destroy them. Deliver them - From those that lie in wait for them.
7. Are not - Both they and their families suddenly perish. 9. Despised - That lives in a mean condition. honoureth - That glories in his high birth or gay attire.
10. Regardeth - He will not destroy it either by labour beyond its strength, or by denying it necessary food or rest. Cruel - There is cruelty mixed even with their most merciful actions.
11. Tilleth - That employs his time in an honest calling. Vain persons - In an idle course of living.
12. Desireth - He approves those arts, which wicked men use like nets to ensnare other men. The root - That piety, which is the root of his actions, yields him sufficient fruit both for his own need, and to do good to others.
14. Mouth - By his pious and profitable discourses. Hands - Of his actions. 15. Hearkeneth - That distrusts his own judgments, and seeks counsel from others. 16. Covereth - The shame, or injury done to him, which he conceals and bears with patience. 17. Deceit - He who uses himself to lying in his common talk, will use falsehood and deceit in judgment.
18. Health - Tends to the comfort and benefit of others. 19. A moment - Liars, though they may make a fair shew for a season, yet are quickly convicted. 20. Deceit - They whose hearts devise mischief shall be deceived in their hopes, and bring trouble upon themselves: but they who by good counsels labour to promote peace, shall reap the comfort of it themselves.
23. Concealeth - He does not unseasonably utter what he knows. Foolishness - Betrays his ignorance and folly.
25. A good word - A compassionate or encouraging word. 26. neighbour - Than any other men. Seduceth - Hebrew. maketh them to err, to lose that excellency or happiness which they had promised themselves.
27. Resteth not - Does not enjoy the fruit of his labours. Precious - Yields him comfort and blessing with it.
XIII 2. Shall eat - Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses. 6. Keepeth him - From that over-throw which befall sinners. 7. Maketh rich - Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich - Some rich men profess to be poor.
8. Riches - Riches enable a man to redeem his life when it is in greatest danger, and poverty preserves a man from many injuries. Because they are cautious, that they may not provoke others; and because they are esteemed objects of pity.
9. The light - The prosperity. Rejoiceth - Shines with a pleasant and constant brightness. Rejoicing is here ascribed to the light, as it is to the sun, Psalm xix, 5, metaphorically. Put out - Their felicity shall have a hidden end.
10. Pride - It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention. Well-advised - Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations. Wisdom - Which teaches them to avoid contention.
11. Vanity - By wicked practices. 12. Hope deferred - Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires. The desire - The good desired. A tree of life - It is satisfactory, and reviving.
13. The word - The word of God. 14. The law - The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture. 15. Giveth - Makes a man acceptable to God. Rough - Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveler.
16. Knowledge - Considerately and discreetly. Layeth open - By his foolish actions. 17. A messenger - Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge. Is health - Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself.
19. Sweet - Whatsoever men earnestly desire, the enjoyment of it is sweet to them; therefore sinners rejoice in the satisfaction of their sinful lusts, and abhor all restraint of them.
21. Evil - Punishment proportionable to their sin. 23. The poor - Poor persons by their diligent labours, and God's blessing often grow rich. Destroyed - Or, consumed, brought to poverty, for want of discretion.
24. Hateth his son - His fond affection, is as pernicious to him as hatred. XIV 1. Buildeth - Maintains and improves her family and estate. Her hands - By her idleness or sin. 3. A rod - His insolent speeches as they are like a rod, offensive to others, so, they make a rod for their own backs.
4. The crib - The stable is empty of food for cattle, and much more for man. In the same sense cleanness of teeth is put for famine, Amos iv, 6. The strength - By their labours, or by diligence in husbandry, which then was principally managed by oxen.
6. Findeth it not - Because he doth not seek it aright. That understandeth - That is honest and pious.
8. His way - Consists not in vain speculations, but in a diligent study of his duty, and of the way to eternal happiness. The folly - The wit of ungodly men, which is really their folly, is employed only in finding out ways of deceiving.
9. favour - They find favour both with God and men. 10. Bitterness - The inward griefs and joys of mens hearts, are not known to any but a man's self.
12. Right - There are some evil courses which men may think to be lawful and good. The end - The event shews that they were sinful and destructive.
13. In laughter - The outward signs of joy are often mixed with real sorrow. 14. In heart - He who departs from God inwardly. Filled - With the fruit of his ways, the punishment of his sins. Satisfied - From the pious temper of his own heart, which cleaves to the Lord, he shall receive unspeakable comfort.
15. The simple - A foolish man. Looketh - He orders his dealings in the world with due circumspection, not considering so much what other men say as what he ought to do.
16. Feareth - Trembles at God's judgments when they are either inflicted or threatened. Rageth - Frets against God; or is enraged against his messengers. Confident - Secure and insensible of his danger.
17. Foolishly - His passion hurries him into foolish speeches and actions. Wicked devices - One who suppresses his passion, but meditates revenge. Hated - Both by God and men.
18. Inherit - They possess it as their inheritance, holding it fast, and glorying in it. Knowledge - The saving knowledge of God and of their own duty.
19. The evil - Good men shall have the pre-eminency over the wicked. 20. Hated - Despised and abandoned. 21. Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor. 23. The talk - Idle talking will bring a man to poverty. 24. Riches - They are a singular advantage and ornament to them. But - As for rich fools, their folly is not cured, but made worse and more manifest by their riches.
25. Souls - Such as are innocent, from false accusations. 27. To depart - To preserve men from destructive courses. 29. Exalteth - Hebrew. lifteth up, like a banner, makes it known and visible to all men. 30. A sound heart - Free from envy and inordinate passions. Is life - Procures and maintains the health and vigour of the body.
31. His maker - Whose image the poor man bears, by whose providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be their protector and avenger.
32. Driven away - In his death, from God's favour and presence. Death - In his greatest dangers and distresses, yea even in death itself.
33. Resteth - Is laid up and hid there. In the midst - In the heart. Made known - They will publish in all times and companies.
35. Shame - Both to himself, by his foolish management of the king's affairs, and to the king who made so foolish a choice of a servant.
2. Aright - Expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully. Poureth out - Plentifully, continually, and vehemently, as a fountain does waters.
4. Wholesome - Which utters sound and useful counsels. Tree of life - Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers. Perverseness - False or corrupt speeches. A breach - Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers.
6. Revenues - Though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble. 7. Disperse - Freely communicate to others what they know. 8. Sacrifice - All the religious services, yea, the most costly; one kind being put for all the rest. Prayer - The cheapest and meanest services.
11. Destruction - The place of destruction, of which men know nothing but by Divine Revelation. 14. Foolishness - Wickedness is meat and drink to them. 15. Afflicted - Of the troubled in mind. Evil - Tedious and uncomfortable. Chearful - Hebrew. of a good heart.
16. Trouble - Tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares, and horrors of conscience. 19. An hedge - As a way hedged up with thorns, troublesome, perplexed, and full of difficulties. Plain - Is easy and pleasant to him, notwithstanding all its difficulties.
22. Counsel - When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others. 23. The answer - By a wise, or good and seasonable answer. 24. The way - The way a wise man takes to obtain life, is to place his heart, and treasure, and conversation on things above.
25. The proud - Of the mighty oppressors. The border - The estate, the border being often used, for the land within the borders.
26. Pleasant - Acceptable to God. 27. Troubleth - Brings God's curse upon himself and family. Gifts - Bribes given to corrupt judgment. Live - Shall preserve himself and family from ruin.
28. Studieth - He speaks considerately. The mouth - Not the heart; for he rashly speaks what comes into his mouth, without the direction of his heart or conscience.
30. A good report - A good name. Fat - Not only chears a man for the present, but gives him such stable comfort as revives his soul, and gives vigour to his body.
31. The ear - The man that hearkens to that reproof which leads to life, seeks and delights in the company of the wise.
33. The instruction - Doth instruct men in true wisdom. XVI 1. From the Lord - Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well without Divine assistance. 2. Weigheth - Exactly knows as men do the things which they weigh. Spirits - The hearts of men.
3. Commit - Refer all thy actions and concerns to God, as the end of them, and depend upon God's providence for success. Established - Thy designs shall be brought to an happy issue.
4. Doth work - He orders or disposes. For - For his own glory; for the discovery of his wisdom, power, goodness, truth, justice. The wicked - Wilful and impenitent sinners. Men make themselves wicked, and God therefore makes them miserable.
6. By mercy - By a merciful and just and faithful frame of heart and course of life. Is purged - As they qualify a man to offer up acceptable prayers to God for the pardon of his sins. By fear -
By a filial reverence unto God. Depart - They are kept from abusing pardoning mercy, and from returning to folly or wickedness.
9. Deviseth - Proposes what he will do. Directeth - Over-rules and disposes all his designs and actions.
10. A divine sentence - Great sagacity and piercing judgment. Of the king - Of wise kings; who only are worthy of that name and office.
11. The Lord's - Are made by his direction and appointment, so that no man can alter them without violating God's rights and authority.
15. A cloud - As acceptable as those clouds which bring the latter rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened a little before the harvest.
17. The high-way - Their common road, in which they walk, tho' through frailty or temptation they slip into the bypath of sin. From evil - From the evil of sin, and consequently from the evil of punishment. Keepeth - That takes heed to walk in that high-way.
20. Good - He who orders his affairs with discretion. 21. The wise - He who is truly wise, shall be so accounted by others. Sweetness - Eloquence added to wisdom. Increaseth - Both in himself, for while a man teaches others, he improves himself; and others, who by this means are induced to hear and receive his instructions.
22. The instruction - Their most grave and serious counsels are foolish. 23. Teacheth - Directs him what to speak, and keeps him from speaking foolishly. Addeth - Enables him to speak learnedly and wisely.
27. Diggeth up - Prosecutes his evil designs with great industry. His lips - His tongue is set on fire of hell.
30. Shutteth - That his thoughts may be more intent. Moving - Which is the gesture of one whose thoughts are deeply engaged.
32. Is better - Of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more valiant and victorious. 33. The lot - As the ancient practice was in deciding doubtful things. The event of which though casual to men, is directed by God's providence.
XVII 4. False lips - To false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief.
7. Excellent speech - Discourse of high and excellent things. 8. A precious stone - Pleasant and acceptable; and withal dazzles his eyes. Whithersoever - To whomsoever it is presented. But this, as also many of her Proverbs, are to be understood of most men, not of all.
9. Covereth - That conceals as far as he may, other mens faults. 11. Rebellion - Against God. Messenger - Or, a cruel angel, the angel of death, the devil, or some bloody men employed by God to avenge his quarrel.
12. Folly - In the heat of his lust or passion. 14. Letteth out - By cutting the bank of a river. Leave off - Avoid the occasions, and prevent the beginning of contention.
16. A price - Opportunities and abilities of getting it. No heart - Neither discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, nor any sincere desire to get it.
17. Was born - Was sent into the world for this, that he might comfort and relieve his brother in adversity.
18. Friend - Debtor, for whom being his friend, he becomes surety. 20. No good - Shall not get that advantage which he expects. 22. Doth good - Even to the body; it contributes much to bodily health and vigour. Drieth - Wastes the marrow of the bones, and the moisture and strength of the body.
24. In the face - His wisdom appears even in his looks. The eyes - Minding most, those things which are remotest from him, and least concern him.
26. To strike - Nor to smite magistrates, either with the hand or tongue, for the execution of justice.
XVIII 1. Desire - Thro' desire of wisdom, a man having separated himself from the company, and noise, and business of the world, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom, uses all diligence, that he may search and find out all solid knowledge and true wisdom.
2. Understanding - In getting sound and saving, knowledge. The discovery - In uttering that folly and wickedness which is in his heart.
3. Cometh - Into any place or company. Contempt - He despiseth all instruction and reproof. Reproach - And he shews his contempt by ignominious and reproachful expressions.
4. A man's - A wise man's. As a brook - That wisdom which is in his heart is continually pouring forth wise and good counsels.
8. They go - They wound mortally. 9. Is brother - Though they take several paths, yet both come to one end. 10. The name - The Lord, as he hath revealed himself in his works, and in his word by his promises.
14. Sustain - Will easily support him under any outward troubles. Wounded - Dejected with the sense of its own guilt and misery.
18. Parteth - Gives to every one what is right or meet. 20. Satisfied - Wise discourses tend to the satisfaction of the speaker, as well as to the good of the hearers.
21. Death and life - Are brought upon men by, the good or bad use of their tongues. Lovest - That love much talking.
22. A wise - A good wife; one that deserves the name, and performs the duty of that relation. favour - Obtains her not by his own diligence, but by God's good providence.
24. A man - Hebrew. A man of friends; who desires the friendship of others. XIX 2. Hasteth - That rashly and headily rushes into actions. 3. Perverteth - Blasts his designs and enterprises. Fretteth - He ascribes his unhappiness not to his own sin, but to God and his providence.
6. A friend - in profession. 7. Brethren - His nearest relations. Hate - Despise and shun him. Pursueth - Earnestly imploring their pity.
10. Delight - To live in pleasure and outward glory, doth not become him, nor suit with him; because prosperity corrupts even wise men, and makes fools mad; and because it gives him more opportunity to discover his folly, and to do mischief both to himself and others.
13. Dropping - Are like rain continually dropping upon an house. 15. Casteth - Makes a man careless, and like one asleep in his business.
16. His ways - The commands of God. 18. While - Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence have made him incorrigible. Let not - Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction.
19. Great wrath - Of strong passions. Deliver - If thou forbear to punish him. Do it - Thou must deliver him again and again.
22. The desire - The hearty desire of being kind is accepted by God, and should be owned by men as a real kindness. A poor man - Who is not able to give what he desires to do. A liar - Than a rich man who feeds the poor with fair promises, but doth not perform what he pretends.
23. Satisfied - Shall be fully contented with God's favour and blessing. 24. Bring it - To feed himself; he expects that the meat should drop into his mouth. 25. Scorner - An obstinate and impudent transgressor. Simple - Who sin thro' ignorance, being possibly drawn to it by the scorner's evil counsel or example. Reprove - A verbal reproof will be more effectual for his reformation, than the severest punishments will be to a scorner.
26. Wasteth - His father's estate. Chaseth - Causes her to avoid his presence, and to go from the house where he is.
28. Scorneth - Hath no reverence to the place of justice, nor to the presence of God there. Devoureth - Utters it with greediness and delight.
29. Prepared - Although they be deferred for a time, yet they are treasured up for them. XX 1. A mocker - Wine immoderately drunk makes men mockers. Raging - Makes men full of rage.
2. The fear - The terror which the wrath of a king causes. 3. Meddling - Is always ready to begin strife, and obstinate in the continuance of it. 5. Counsel - Designs of doing something of moment. Deep water - Is secret and hard to be discovered.
8. His eyes - With his very looks, or by his diligent inspection into affairs. 10. Divers - One greater for shew and one lesser for use. 11. Is known - The future disposition of a man may be probably conjectured from his childish manners.
13. Open - Shake off sloth and betake thyself to thy employment with diligence and vigour. 15. The lips - But wise speeches are of far greater worth. 16. Take - As a pledge, without which he ought not to be trusted. Of him - That is surety. 18. Established - The way to bring our purposes to good effect is to manage them with serious consideration.
20. Lamp - His name and memory shall utterly perish. 24. His way - What the issue of his designs will be. 25. A snare - It brings guilt upon him. After - After a man has made vows to inquire for ways to break them.
26. The wheel - As the cart-wheel was anciently turned over the sheaves to beat the corn out of them. He punishes them as their offenses deserve.
27. The spirit - The reasonable soul. The candle - Is a clear and glorious light set up in man for his information and direction. Of the Lord - So called because it comes from God in a more immediate manner than the body, Eccles xii, 7, and because it is in God's stead, to observe and judge all our actions. Searching - Discerning not only his outward actions, which are visible to
others, but his most inward thoughts and affections. The belly is here put for the heart, as it is frequently.
30. The blueness - Grievous wounds, which make men black and blue; or severe punishments. Cleanseth - Are the means to reclaim a wicked man, and to purge out his corruption. The belly - Of the heart. Grievous wounds or stripes cleanse not only the outward man by keeping it from evil actions, but even the inward man, by expelling or subduing vile affections: which is a great and blessed benefit of afflictions.
XXI 1. The kings - He names kings not to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitrary and uncontrollable than others. As rivers - Which husband-men draw by little channels into the adjacent grounds as they please.
4. The plowing - Even their civil or natural actions, which in themselves are lawful, are made sinful as they are managed by ungodly men, without any regard to the glory of God, which ought to be the end of all our actions.
5. Hasty - Who manages his affairs rashly. 6. Lying tongue - By any false or deceitful words or actions. Is tossed - Is like the chaff or smoak driven away by the wind. Of them - That take those courses which will bring destruction upon them.
8. The way - Of every man by nature. Strange - Estranged from God. Right - But he whose heart is pure, his conversation is agreeable to it.
10. Desireth - To do mischief. No favour - He spares neither friend nor foe. 11. The wise - The simple learn wisdom, both from the punishment of wicked men, and from the prosperity of good men.
12. Considereth - He looks through its present glory to that ruin for which it is designed. 14. In secret - Which makes it more acceptable. In the bosom - Secretly conveyed into the bosom.
16. Shall remain - Shall, without repentance, be condemned to eternal death. 17. Wine and oil - Delicious fare and luxurious feasting. Wine and oil were much used in feasts in those parts.
18. A ransom - The wicked shall be brought into those troubles, which were designed by wicked men for the righteous: thus Haman was a ransom for Mordecai.
20. The wise - Wise men lay up desirable treasures for their own use, and for their families. Oil is particularly mentioned, because that was a considerable part of their wealth and treasures in those countries.
22. The strength - The strongest sorts to which the citizens trust. 25. Killeth - Torments him to death, while he passionately desires what he sees, he shall not enjoy, and will not take pains to procure.
26. Coveteth - Spends his whole time in vain and lazy desires. Giveth - By God's blessing upon his industry he procures enough, not only for his own support, but for the relief of others.
27. The sacrifice - All the most costly services which they offer to God. Because - As all the ancient translators render it, the Hebrew particle, aph, being expletive: or, even because; so the following clause gives the reason. A wicked mind - Not in obedience to God's command, but either to cover, or countenance, or promote some wicked design.
28. Heareth - He witnesses nothing but what he has heard or seen. Constantly - Always affirms the same thing.
29. Hardeneth - Continues in evil with obstinacy and impudence. Directs - He orders his steps aright.
31. The horse - Under which all war-like provisions are comprehended. XXII 1. favour - A good report among men, especially good men, and that hearty kindness which attends it.
2. Meet - They live together, and need one another. The maker - Not only as they are men, but as they are poor or rich, which difference comes from God's providence. They have one common creator, and Lord, and judge, and the one cannot despise nor grudge at the other without reflecting upon God.
3. The evil - The judgment of God threatened, and approaching. Hideth - Retires to his strong tower, by prayer and repentance, puts himself under the protection of the almighty. Pass on - Carefully and securely.
6. Depart - Not easily and ordinarily. 7. Is servant - Is at his mercy, and forced to comply with his pleasure. 8. The rod - That power which he used with fury shall be taken from him. 9. He - Who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion. 12. Preserve - God by the watchful eye of his providence maintains and defends. Knowledge - Men of knowledge, knowing and good men. The matters - All his hopes, enterprizes, and concerns.
14. The mouth - Her fair and flattering speeches. 15. Bound - Is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature. 16. That giveth - That prodigally casts away his estate upon those who do not need it. 17. My knowledge - The knowledge of God, which I am here delivering. 18. Fitted - Fitly expressed: thou wilt be able to discourse profitably of them. 20. In counsels and knowledge - In counsels which proceed from found knowledge. 21. Answer - That thou mayst be able to give solid, and satisfactory answers. 22. In the gate - Under pretense of justice. 23. Spoil the soul - Take away not only their goods but their lives too. 29. Before kings - He is fit to be employed in the affairs of princes. XXIII 1. Ruler - With a great man. 2. Put a knife - Restrain thine appetite, as if a man stood with a knife at thy throat. 3. Deceitful - They do not yield thee that satisfaction which thou didst expect from them. 4. Thine own wisdom - From worldly wisdom, which persuades men to use all possible means to get riches.
5. Set thine eyes - Look upon it with earnestness and desire. Is not - Which has no solid and settled being. Eagle - Swiftly, strongly, and irrecoverably.
6. Evil eye - Of the envious or covetous man. 7. So is he - You are not to judge of him by his words, but by the constant temper of his mind. 8. Vomit up - When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words - Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him.
9. Of a fool - Cast not away good counsels upon incorrigible sinners.
10. Enter not - To possess their lands. 11. Redeemer - Hebrew. their near kinsman, to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights.
13. Shall not die - It is a likely way to prevent his destruction. 16. My reins - I shall rejoice with all my soul. 18. An end - An expected and happy end for such as fear God. 19. Guide - Order the whole course of thine affections and actions. In the way - In God's way. 23. Buy - Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost. Truth - The true and saving knowledge of God's will. Sell it not - Do not forsake it for any worldly advantage.
26. Give me - Solomon here speaks in God's name. 30. Mixt wine - Either mixed with water, or with other ingredients to make it strong and delicious. 31. Red - Which was the colour of the best wines in that country. Aright - When it sparkles, and seems to smile upon a man.
34. Lieth down - To sleep. Sea - In a ship in the midst of the sea. 35. Sick - I was not sensible of it. Again - At present my condition requires sleep to settle myself, and when I am composed, I purpose to return to my former course.
XXIV 2. Destruction - How they may oppress and destroy others. 3. Through wisdom - There is no need that thou shouldest raise thy family by ruining others, which thou mayest more effectually do by wisdom.
4. By knowledge - Which in scripture phrase includes the love and practice of what we know. 5. Is strong - Is courageous and resolute, and able by wisdom to do greater things than others can accomplish by strength.
6. Thy war - War is better managed by wisdom than by strength. 7. A fool - For a wicked man, whose sins enfeeble his mind, and make it incapable of wisdom. Openeth not - He knows not how to speak acceptably, and profitably in the publick assembly.
8. Shall be called - Though he cover his wicked devices with fair pretenses, he shall be branded with that infamy which is due to him.
9. The thought - The very inward thought or contrivance of evil, is a sin in God's sight. 11. Deliver - When it is in thy power. Drawn - By the violence of lawless men. 12. Consider - That this is only a frivolous excuse. 13. Eat - This is not a command, but a concession, and is only here expressed to illustrate the following verse. Honey in those parts was an usual food.
14. A reward - It is not only sweet for the present, but brings a sure and everlasting reward. 16. Falleth - Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse, and in the following branch of this verse. Fall - Frequently into irrecoverable destruction.
17. Falleth - Into mischief. 18. From him - Understand, upon thee, which is implied in the Hebrew phrase. 20. No reward - All his happiness shall quickly and eternally perish. The candle - All their comfort and glory shall cease.
21. To change - That are unstable in their obedience to God or to the king. 22. Who knoweth - Who can conceive how sore and sudden will be the ruin of them that fear not God, and the king.
23. These - The counsels following, to the end of the chapter, no less than those hitherto mentioned, are worthy of their consideration.
25. Rebuke - That publickly and judicially rebuke and condemn the wicked. Delight - The peace of a good conscience.
26. Shall kiss - Shall respect him. A right answer - That speaks pertinently and plainly, and truly.
32. Received - I learned wisdom by his folly. XXV 1. These - Which are contained in this and the following chapters. The men - Certain persons appointed by Hezekiah for that work. Many of them are political precepts, and such as in a special manner concerned Hezekiah, and other princes, for the conduct of their house and kingdom. Copied - Out of the historical records which were then extant.
2. The glory - It is agreeable to the nature of God; it is a testimony of his infinite wisdom, and of his absolute power and sovereignty. To conceal - To keep his counsels, and the reasons of his actions in his own breast. Search out - To communicate their counsels to others, that so they may search and find out the right way.
3. The heart - Though wise kings will search out other men, yet their inward thoughts and purposes are hardly discoverable.
4. Take away - Then, and not 'till then it is fit for that use. 6. Stand not - Do not affect frequent and familiar society with greater persons than thyself. 9. Debate - If thou hast any quarrel with him, first try to compose it by private discourse with him. Discover not - Let not heat of contention provoke thee to divulge any of his secrets committed to thy trust.
10. Lest he - Reproach thee for thy gross violation of the laws of prudence, justice and friendship. 11. Of silver - Which it seems was usual in those times, and was grateful to the eye for the beauty and variety both of the colours and figures, the golden apples appearing through net-work of silver. 13. Cold of snow - As drink cooled with ice or snow, as is usual in hot countries.