_A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight._ Ver. 1. _A false balance is abomination._] _See Trapp on "_ Lev 19:36 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Deu 25:15 _"_ This kind of fraud falls heaviest upon the poor, Amo 8:5 who are fain to fetch in everything by the penny. Hit... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 11:2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom. Ver. 2. _When pride cometh._] Where pride is in the saddle, shame is on the crupper, _tanquam Nemesis a tergo._ He is a "proud fool," saith our English proverb. Proud persons, while they leave their standing and w... [ Continue Reading ]
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Ver. 3. _The integrity of the upright shall guide them._] An elegant allusion in the original. Their uprightness shall lead them whither they would, and secure them from danger. They "fulfil the... [ Continue Reading ]
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. Ver. 4. _Riches profit not in the day of wrath._] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. Zep 1:18 Isa 13:7 Yea, they carried away the richer Jews, when the poor... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. Ver. 5. _The righteousness of the perfect._] This is the same in effect with Proverbs 11:3. _Nunquam satis dicitur, quod nunquam satis discitur._ _a_ But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedn... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in [their own] naughtiness. Ver. 6. _The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them._] As Noah's integrity prevailed for his safety. Many are the troubles of the righteous, but out of them all they are sure t... [ Continue Reading ]
When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth. Ver. 7. _When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish._] He died, perhaps, in strong hopes of heaven, as those seem to have done that came rapping and bouncing at heaven gates, with "Lord, Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. Ver. 8. _And the wicked cometh in his stead._] Thus it befell Haman, and Daniel's enemies, and those inhuman Edomites, Lam 4:21 and Herod with his hacksters. Acts 12:1,4 _; _ Act 12:21-23 It is "a righteous thing with Go... [ Continue Reading ]
An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. Ver. 9. _An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth._] That is, The flatterer, slanderer, evil counsellor, but especially the heretic, as the Valentinians, _qui artificium habuerunt, quo prius per... [ Continue Reading ]
_When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting._ Ver. 10. _When it goeth well with the righteous._] When they are set in place of authority, all the country fare the better for it. All cannot choose but do well, so long as thou rulest wel... [ Continue Reading ]
_By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked._ Ver. 11. _By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted._] This is given in as a reason of that public joy in the welfare of the just, because they are of public spirits, and will by their go... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. Ver. 12. _He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour._] Not remembering that he is his neighbour, cut out of the same cloth, the shears only going between, and as capable of heaven as himself, th... [ Continue Reading ]
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Ver. 13. _A talebearer revealeth secrets._] Heb., A pedlar. _See Trapp on "_ Lev 19:16 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ 1Ti 5:13 _"_ _Si sapis arcano vina reconde cado._ God forbids us to chaffer with these petty chapmen... [ Continue Reading ]
Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety. Ver. 14. _Where no counsel is, the people fall._] As where no pilot is, the ship miscarrieth. The Vulgate render it, _Ubi non est gubernator, corruit populus._ Tyranny is better than anarchy. And yet, "Wo... [ Continue Reading ]
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. Ver. 15. _He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it._] Heb., Shall break - prove a bankrupt. _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:1 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:2 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:3 _"_ &c... [ Continue Reading ]
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong [men] retain riches. Ver. 16. _A gracious woman retaineth honour._] Such a one as is set forth in Lemuel's lesson, Pro 31:10-31 such as was Sarah, Deborah, Abigail, Esther, Queen Elizabeth, of whom a great French princess gave this eulogium, that she wa... [ Continue Reading ]
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but [he that is] cruel troubleth his own flesh. Ver. 17. _The merciful doth good to his own soul._] His chief business is with and for himself: how to set all to rights within, how to keep a continual sabbath of soul, a constant composedness. He will not... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward._ Ver. 18. _The wicked worketh a deceitful work._] By defrauding his genius, and afflicting his flesh, _as _ Pro 11:17 he thinks he doth a very good work. Some emperors have left their thrones, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death. Ver. 19. _As righteousness tendeth to life._] Heb., Lives; for "godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1Ti 4:8 And this is that sure reward spoken of in the forme... [ Continue Reading ]
They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight. Ver. 20. _They that are of a froward heart, &c._] Not only those that pursue and practise wickedness, but they also that harbour it in their hearts, are hated of God. Luk 16:1... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 11:21 [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Ver. 21. _Though hand join in hand, &c._] Heb., Hand to hand; that is, "out of hand, … by and by," as some interpret it. Munster renders it, "Though plague follow upon... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 11:22 [As] a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion. Ver. 22. As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout.] It is a small praise, saith one, to have a good face and an evil nature. No one means, saith another, hath so enriched hell as beautiful faces.... [ Continue Reading ]
The desire of the righteous [is] only good: [but] the expectation of the wicked [is] wrath. Ver. 23. _The desire of the righteous is only good,_] _i.e., _ So far as he is righteous, or spiritual, he "delights in the law of God after the inward man," Rom 7:22 "willing in all things to live honestly.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty. Ver. 24. _There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth._] Bounty is the most compendious way to plenty; neither is getting but giving the best thrift. The five loaves in the... [ Continue Reading ]
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Ver. 25. _The liberal soul shall be made fat._] _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:7 _"_ and my "Common Place of Alms.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that selleth [it]. Ver. 26. _The people shall curse him,_] _i.e., _ Complain and cry out of him, as the people of Rome did of Pompey in another case. _Nostra miseria tu es magnus._ Our misery is you g... [ Continue Reading ]
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. Ver. 27. _He that diligently seeketh good._] Heb., He that is up betime to promote the public good, as Joseph, who came not in till noon to eat meat; as Nehemiah, who willingly brake his sheep, a... [ Continue Reading ]
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Ver. 28. _He that trusteth to his riches shall fall._] Riches were never true to any that trusted to them. The rich churl that trusted and boasted that he had "much goods laid up in store" for many years, when,... [ Continue Reading ]
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart. Ver. 29. _He that troubleth his own house._] Either by prodigality, or excessive parsimony. _Prodigi singulis auribus bina aut terna dependent patrimonia,_ saith Seneca. We have known great... [ Continue Reading ]
The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise. Ver. 30. _The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,_] _i.e., _ The commodities and comforts that one may every way receive from a righteous person, - for, _est aliquid quod a viro bono etiam tacente discas,_ sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. Ver. 31. _The righteous shall be recompensed,_] _i.e., _ Chastened, afflicted, "judged of the Lord, that they may not be condemned with the world," for their sufferings are not penal, but medicinal or prob... [ Continue Reading ]