The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Ver. 1. _The wicked fly when none pursueth._] None but their own consciences. _Facti sunt a corde suo fugitivi,_ as Tertullian hath it. Such a fearful fugitive was bloody Cain, who cried out, when there were yet few or none... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged._ Ver. 2. _For the transgression of a land, many are the princes._] Either many at once, or many ejecting and succeeding one another, to the great ca... [ Continue Reading ]
A poor man that oppresseth the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. Ver. 3. _A poor man that oppresseth the poor, &c._] Such an oppressor bites hard (as a lean louse doth), makes clean work, plunders to the life, as they say, _Omnia corradit et converret._ Poor men should pity poor... [ Continue Reading ]
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Ver. 4. _They that forsake the law praise the wicked._] As Machiavel doth Caesar Borgia, that _bipedum nequissimum,_ proposing him for a pattern to all Christian princes; as Onuphrius (the Pope's biographer), d... [ Continue Reading ]
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things]. Ver. 5. _Evil men understand not judgment._] They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge: their wits work not that way; they are bard and brutish as "horse and mule." Psa 32:9 Yea, they fall b... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich. Ver. 6. _Better is the poor, &c._] See Proverbs 19:1 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth his father. Ver. 7. _He that keepeth the law is a wise son._] It is neither good nature, nor good nurture or breeding, that can prove a man to be truly wise, but obedience to God's statutes. Deu 4:6 Aiphonsus... [ Continue Reading ]
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. Ver. 8. _He that by usury and unjust gain, &c._] Usury is condemned by the very heathens (Aristot. Ethic., lib. iv. cap. 1). The ancient law of the Romans make the usurer a thief and worse... [ Continue Reading ]
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination. Ver. 9. _He that turneth away his ear from hearing, &c._] Heb., That causeth his ear to decline the law, that wilfully slights the opportunities of hearing, and frames excuse, trusting to his good prayers, as... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession. Ver. 10. _Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray, &c._] This follows fitly upon the former. Seducers and sectaries dissuade men from hearing the... [ Continue Reading ]
The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. Ver. 11. _The rich man is wise in his own conceit._] He sacrificeth to himself, as Sejanus did; _a_ to his "drag and net," Hab 1:16 as the Babylonians did; he thanks his wit for his wealth, and takes... [ Continue Reading ]
_When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden._ Ver. 12. _When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory._] That is, There is cause of common joy to all; for they have public spirits, and rectified judgments, neither can they be merry at he... [ Continue Reading ]
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy. Ver. 13. _He that covereth his sins shall not prosper._] Sin is a traitor and must not be hid; for if so, now it sucks a man's breast, shortly it will suck his blood. Sin is a sore and must be o... [ Continue Reading ]
Happy [is] the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. Ver. 14. _Blessed is the man that feareth always._] That is "in the fear of the Lord all day long." Pro 23:17 _Duo sunt timores Dei, servilis et amicalis,_ saith Bede: There is a twofold fear of God - s... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 28:15 [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people. Ver. 15. _As a roaring llon, and a ranging bear._] Regimen without righteousness turns into tyranny, and becomes no better than robbery by authority. _a_ Look how the lion frightens the poor beasts... [ Continue Reading ]
The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days. Ver. 16. _The prince that wanteth understanding._] As every tyrant doth, Psa 14:4 though they think they deal wisely, as Pharaoh, Exo 1:10 for they usually come to untimely... [ Continue Reading ]
A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. Ver. 17. _A man that doth violence unto the blood._] The Hebrew word Adam, here rendered man, hath one letter in the original less than the rest, _Hebrew Text Note_ to show that a blood shedder is not... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall at once. Ver. 18. _Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved,_] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 10:9 _"_ "Shall be saved"; a little word, but of large extent. It properly noteth the privative part of a man's happiness, del... [ Continue Reading ]
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough. Ver. 19. _He that tilleth his land shall have plenty._] _At fugiens molam fugit farinam:_ Men must earn it ere they eat it; and not think that bread and other good things will... [ Continue Reading ]
_A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent._ Ver. 20. _A faithful man shall abound in blessings._] God will bless him, and all that bless him. Gen 12:3 _See Trapp on "_ Gen 12:3 _"_ Men also shall rise up and call him blessed, saying, as D... [ Continue Reading ]
To have respect of persons [is] not good: for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress. Ver. 21. _To have respect of persons is not good._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 24:23 _"_ For, for a piece of bread.] For a trifle he will transgress, and sell his soul dog cheap for a groat, or less money. Cat... [ Continue Reading ]
He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. Ver. 22. _He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye._] He is sick of "the lust of the eye" 1Jn 2:16 - for all sinful lusts are παθηματα, sicknesses - coveting his neighbour's goods, envying his pr... [ Continue Reading ]
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. Ver. 23. _He that rebuketh a man shall find, &c._] He that binds a madman, or rouseth up one in a lethargy, hath but little thank for present; so here. In the sweating sickness, they that were kept awa... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer. Ver. 24. _He that robbeth his father or his mother._] As that idolatrous Micah did his mother of her gold; Jdg 17:2 as Rachel did her father of his gods; as Absalom did David of... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat._ Ver. 25. _He that is of a proud heart._] _Latus animo._ He that through pride and ambition cannot keep within bounds of his calling or condition, but thinks great thoughts of himself, and... [ Continue Reading ]
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. Ver. 26. _He that trusteth to his own heart is a fool._] He that saith, _Consilii satis est in me mihi:_ I am wise enough to order my own business, and need no advice of others, seek no success from above,... [ Continue Reading ]
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Ver. 27. _He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack._] _Eleemosyna ars omnium questuosissima,_ saith Chrysostom: Not getting but giving is the way to wealth. God will bless the bountiful man's stock... [ Continue Reading ]
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase. Ver. 28. _When the wicked rise, men hide themselves._] They are glad to skulk and shelter themselves from that fierce storm. _See Trapp on "_ Pro 28:12 _"_ But when they perish, the righteous increase.] When e... [ Continue Reading ]