Bible Commentaries

Verse 1

1. wise [and] foolish—as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.

maketh . . . father—or, "gladdens a father."

heaviness—or, "grief."

Verse 2

2. Treasures . . . nothing—that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Proverbs 4:17; Matthew 6:19).

righteousness—especially beneficence (Psalms 112:9).

death—the greatest of all evils.

Verse 3

3. (Compare :-). The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."

Verse 4

4. slack—literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare :-).

maketh rich—(compare :-).

Verse 5

5. son—as Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 1:10, and often.

sleepeth—in indolence, and not for rest.

causeth shame—literally, "is base" (compare Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 17:2).

Verse 6

6. Blessings—literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time (Psalms 5:9; Psalms 10:7; Romans 3:14), and hence has no praises (compare Romans 3:14- :).

Verse 7

7. blessed—literally, "for a blessing," or praise.

shall rot—literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.

Verse 8

8. wise, c.—(compare Proverbs 9:8 Proverbs 9:9; Proverbs 9:16), opposed to

prating fool—or, "fool of lips of wicked language."

fall—headlong, suddenly.

Verse 9

9. perverteth his ways—acts deceitfully.

known—discovered and punished.

Verse 10

10. Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Proverbs 6:13; Psalms 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.

Verse 11

11. a well—or, "source" of good to himself and others (John 7:37; John 7:38). On last clause, see on Proverbs 10:1.

Verse 12

12. strifes—or, "litigations."

covereth—by forgiveness and forbearance.

Verse 13

13. In the lips . . . found—hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.

void of understanding— (Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 7:7).

Verse 14

14. lay up knowledge—that is, as treasures for good use.

mouth . . . destruction—or, "as to the mouth," c., destruction is near they expose themselves to evil by prating.

Verse 15

15. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" ( :-), or by the evils of poverty ( :-), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.

Verse 16

16. The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.

Verse 17

17. keepeth—observes (Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 4:22).

refuseth—or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.

Verse 18

18. Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.

Verse 19

19. Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psalms 39:1; James 1:26).

Verse 20

20. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.

Verse 21

21. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 10:17; Hosea 4:6).

Verse 22

22. it maketh, c.—"it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare Ecclesiastes 2:21-23 1 Timothy 6:9; 1 Timothy 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:17).

Verse 23

23. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.

Verse 24

24. it—the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.

Verse 25

25. (Compare Psalms 1:4; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:10; Psalms 37:36).

righteous . . . foundation—well laid and firm (Matthew 7:24; Matthew 7:25).

Verse 26

26. that is, causes vexation.

Verse 27

27. (Compare Proverbs 9:11; Psalms 55:23).

Verse 28

28. gladness—in confidence of realizing it.

expectation . . . perish—in disappointment.

Verse 29

29. The way, &c.—that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked ( :-).

Verse 30

30. (Compare Proverbs 12:3; Psalms 37:9-11; Psalms 102:28).

earth—or, "land of promise."

Verse 31

31. bringeth forth—literally, "germinates" as a plant.

froward—(Compare Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 2:14).

cut off—as an unproductive plant.

Verse 32

32. know—regard and provide for (Psalms 1:6).

frowardness—all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.