The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD. Ver. 1. _The preparations of the heart in man._] He saith not ‘of man' as if it were in man's power to dispose of his own heart, but "in man," as wholly wrought by God; for our sufficiency is not in ourselves, b... [ Continue Reading ]
All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Ver. 2. _All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes._] Every man is apt to think well of his own doings, and would be sorry but his penny should be good silver. They that were born in hell know no other heave... [ Continue Reading ]
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Ver. 3. _Commit thy works unto the Lord._] Depend upon him alone for direction and success; this is the readiest way to a holy security and sound settlement. Hang not in doubtful suspense, as meteors do in the air. Neither make... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Ver. 4. _The Lord hath made all things for himself._] That is, for his own glory, which he seeks in all his works. And well he may; for, first, He hath none higher than himself to whom to have respect; and, secon... [ Continue Reading ]
Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Ver. 5. _Every one that is proud in heart, &c._] That lifts up himself against God and his righteous decree; daring to reprehend what they do not comprehend about the doctri... [ Continue Reading ]
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil. Ver. 6. _By mercy and truth iniquity is purged._] Lest the proud person, bearing these dreadful threats, sbould fall into despair, here is a way shewed him how to escape. "By mercy and truth"; that is, by the... [ Continue Reading ]
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Ver. 7. When a man's ways please the Lord.] Sin is the only make-bait that sets God and man at difference. Now, when God is displeased, all his creatures are up in arms to fetch in his rebels, and to do execution... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Ver. 8. _Better is a little with righteousness, &c._] A small stock well gotten is more comfortably enjoyed and bequeathed to posterity than a cursed hoard of evil gotten goods. The reason why people "please not God, and are... [ Continue Reading ]
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Ver. 9. A man's heart deviseth his way, but God directeth his steps.] Man purposeth, God disposeth of all. Pro 19:21 Events many times cross expectation, "neither is it in man to order his own ways." Jer 10:23 This the heathen saw, a... [ Continue Reading ]
A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. Ver. 10. _A divine sentence is in the lips of the king._] It is, or should be. His words usually pass for oracles, and many times stand for laws. It should be his care, therefore, to "speak as the oracles of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
A just weight and balance [are] the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag [are] his work. Ver. 11. A just weight and balance are the Lord's,] _i.e., _ Are commanded and commended by him. Proverbs 2:1 Deu 25:14-16 _See Trapp on "_ Deu 25:14 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Deu 25:15 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Deu 25:16... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 16:12 [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Ver. 12. _It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness._] It is so for any man, but especially for great men. Peter Martyr told Queen Elizabeth in an epistle, that princes wer... [ Continue Reading ]
_Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right._ Ver. 13. _Righteous lips are the delight of kings,_] _i.e., _ Of good kings, such as David was, who loved Nathan never the worse, but the better, for dealing plainly with him, gave him free access to his bedchamber,... [ Continue Reading ]
The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. Ver. 14. _The wrath of a king is as messengers of death._] In the plural number, the better to set forth the danger of a king's displeasure. _a_ "Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech." 1Sa 22:16 "Adonijah shall be put to de... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the light of the king's countenance [is] life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain._ Ver. 15. In the light of the king's countenance is life.] As when it is well with the head, it is the better with all the members; and as when the sky is clear, the bodies of men are in better tem... [ Continue Reading ]
How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Ver. 16. _How much better is it to get wisdom than gold,_] _q.d., _ It is unspeakably better to get grace than gold; for what is gold and silver but the guts and garbage of the earth? and what... [ Continue Reading ]
The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. _Ver 17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil._] That is his road, his desire and endeavour, his general purpose, though sometimes (by mistake, or violence of temptation), he step out of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Ver. 18. _Pride goeth before destruction._] A bulging wall is near a downfall. Swelling is a dangerous symptom in the body; so is pride in the soul. _Sequitur superbos ultor a tergo Deus._ _a_ Surely, as the swelling of the sple... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Ver. 19. _Better it is to be of a humble spirit._] A humble man is worth his weight in gold; he hath far more comfort in his losses than proud giants have in their rapines and robberies. Truth it is, t... [ Continue Reading ]
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he. Ver. 20. _He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good._] Doing things with due deliberation and circumspection, things of weight and importance especially - for here _Deliberandum est diu, quod sta... [ Continue Reading ]
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Ver. 21. _The wise in heart shall be called prudent._] He shall have the style and esteem of an intelligent, though not, haply, of an eloquent man. Of some it may be said, as Solinus _a_ saith of his poly-... [ Continue Reading ]
Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly. Ver. 22. _Understanding is a well spring of life._] _Vena vitae_ - as the heart is the principle of life, the brain of sense, so is wisdom in the heart of all good carriage in the life, and of a... [ Continue Reading ]
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Ver. 23. _The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth._] Frameth his speech for him, and seasoneth it with salt of grace, ere it sets it as a dish before the hearers. _Nescit poeuitenda loqui qui proferenda prius suo tradidit e... [ Continue Reading ]
Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Ver. 24. _Pleasant words are as a honeycomb._] Dainty and delicious, such as "the preacher set himself to search out"; Ecc 12:10 such as his father David found God's words to be; Psa 119:103 "wells of salvation." Isa... [ Continue Reading ]
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. Ver. 25. _There is a way that seemeth right to a man._] This we had before, _totidem verbis,_ in Proverbs 14:12; _See Trapp on "_ Pro 14:12 _"_ And think not this a vain repetition; but know that it is thus r... [ Continue Reading ]
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. Ver. 26. _He that laboureth, laboureth for himself._] He earns it to eat it, he gets it with his hands to maintain "the life of his hands," as it is therefore also called Isa 57:10 _Animantis cuiusque vita in fuga est,_ saith... [ Continue Reading ]
_An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire._ Ver. 27. _An ungodly man diggeth up evil,_] _i.e., _ He ransacketh and raketh out of the dust, out of the dunghill, such old evils as have long lain hid, to lay in the saints' dishes, and to upbraid them with. Thus the... [ Continue Reading ]
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. Ver. 28. _A froward man soweth strife._] The Belialist before mentioned, Pro 16:27 as he digs, so he sows; but as ill seed as may be, that which comes not up but with a curse, as cud-weed, _a_ and devil's bit. He is a sedulous s... [ Continue Reading ]
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good. Ver. 29. _A violent man enticeth his neighbour._] As those seducers at Ephesus "dragged disciples after them" _a_ Act 20:30 compelling them by their persuasions to embrace distorted doctrines, such as cause convu... [ Continue Reading ]
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. Ver. 30. _He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things._] Wicked men are great students; they beat their brains and close their eyes that they may revolve and excogitate mischief with more freedom of mind. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness._ Ver. 31. _The hoary head is a crown of glory._] Old age and honour are of great affinity in the Greek tongue. _a_ God gave order that the aged should be honoured. Lev 19:32 _See Trapp on "_ Lev 19:32 _"_ “ _Crede... [ Continue Reading ]
__ Proverbs 16:32 _[He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city._ Ver. 32. _He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty._] Unruly passions are those Turks, saith one, that we must constantly make war with. Those Spaniards,... [ Continue Reading ]
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD. Ver. 33. _The lot is cast into the lap._] This sentence at first sight seems light and unworthy of the place it holds in this book. But as every line in the holy Bible is pure, precious, and profitable, so this sets for... [ Continue Reading ]