_A.M. 3304. B.C. 700._ The character of the righteous and of the wicked, with the blessed fruits of integrity, and the evil effects of sin, Proverbs 28:1. The evil of concealing, and blessedness of confessing sin, Proverbs 28:13. The evil of oppression and violence, the benefit of industry and fait... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wicked flee when no man pursueth_ Because a consciousness of their guilt excites in them a continual expectation and dread of God's judgments; _but the righteous are bold as a lion_ Are courageous and resolute, having the testimony of a good conscience, and assurance of the divine favour and pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof_ Contending at the same time for supremacy, or rather succeeding one another. Their princes are soon cut off, and other persons, and frequently persons of other families, come in their stead, which is justly threatened, in the Scriptures,... [ Continue Reading ]
_A poor man that oppresseth the poor_ Who, being advanced into a place of authority, abuses it, to oppress those that are poor, and unable to resist him; _is like a sweeping rain_, or flood, _which leaveth no food_ Which washeth away the very seeds that are in the earth, and spoils the corn and frui... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that forsake the law_ That live in contempt of, and disobedience to, God's law; _praise the wicked_ Honour their persons, freely and familiarly associate themselves with them, and approve of their sinful practices: all which proceeds from their great likeness to them. _But such as keep the law... [ Continue Reading ]
_Evil men understand not judgment_ Because their minds are naturally blind, and are further blinded by their prejudices and passions, and by the god of this world, who rules in them, they understand not what is just and right, and what is their duty in all cases and conditions; _but they that seek t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Better is the poor_ In a much safer and happier condition; _that walketh in his uprightness_ That sincerely desires and endeavours to walk in all well pleasing before God; _than he that is perverse in his ways_ Hebrew, דרכים, in _two ways_, that is, halting in two ways, pretending to virtue, but pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that by usury, &c., increaseth his substance_ Hebrew, _By usury and increase_, that is, by any kind of usury whereby the poor are oppressed, or by any unrighteous practices; _he shall gather it_, &c. It shall not long continue with him or his, but shall, by God's righteous and powerful providenc... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that turneth away his ear_, &c. That obstinately refuses to yield obedience to God's commands; _even his prayer shall be abomination_ To God, whose law he despises. God will abhor and reject his person and all his services. “He,” says Lord Clarendon, “who will not hearken to what God directs, no... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray_ Who, by evil counsel, or example, or artifice, draws them into such practices as expose them to great danger and mischief; _he shall fall himself into his own pit_ Into that very mischief which he designed for them; _but the upright shall have good things_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The rich man is wise in his own conceit_ Thinks himself wise when he is not, being puffed up by the opinion of his riches; _but the poor,_ &c _., searcheth him out_ Knows him better than he knows himself, and, looking through all his pomp and vain show, sees him to be, what indeed he is, a foolish... [ Continue Reading ]
_When righteous men rejoice_ Are encouraged and promoted to places of trust and power; _there is great glory_ In that commonwealth. The state of that kingdom is honourable, comfortable and safe, so that good men can show their faces with courage and confidence; _but when the wicked rise_ Are advance... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that covereth his sins_ That does not confess them (as appears by the opposite clause) to God, and to men too, when occasion requires it: who, being convinced or admonished of his sins, either justifies, or denies, or excuses them; _shall not prosper_ Shall not succeed in his design of avoiding... [ Continue Reading ]
_Happy is the man that feareth always_ Who, in all times, companies, and conditions, maintains in his mind a holy awe of God, and a reverence for him, his glory and majesty, his wisdom and power, his holiness and justice, his greatness and goodness; that is always afraid of offending him, and incurr... [ Continue Reading ]
_As a roaring lion and a ranging bear_ Always cruel and greedy in their natures, and especially so when they are hungry and want prey; in which case the lions roar, and bears range about for it; _so is a wicked ruler_ Instead of being a nursing father, and a faithful and tender shepherd, as he ought... [ Continue Reading ]
_The prince that wanteth understanding_, &c. The tyranny or oppression of a prince is a manifest sign of great folly, because it alienates from him the hearts of his people, in possessing which his honour, safety, and riches consist; and often causes the shortening of his days, either through God's... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man that doeth violence_, &c. That sheds any man's blood, or takes away his life by any unjust proceedings; _shall flee to the pit_ Shall speedily be destroyed, being pursued by divine vengeance, the horrors of a guilty conscience, and the avengers of blood; _let no man stay him_ None should desi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved_ Namely, from destruction, because God hath undertaken and promised to protect him; _but he that is perverse in his ways_ Hebrew, _in two ways_, of which see on Proverbs 28:6; _shall fall at once_ Once for all, so as he shall never rise more.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that tilleth_, &c. See note on Proverbs 12:11. _A faithful man_ Hebrew, אישׁ אמונות, _a man of truths_, who deals truly and justly in all his bargains and transactions with men; _shall abound with blessings_ Shall have many blessings from God, and be well spoken of by men; _but he that maketh ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_To have respect of persons is not good_ It is a fundamental error in the administration of justice, and that which will lead men to many transgressions, to consider the quality of the parties concerned more than the merits of the cause; _for a piece of bread that man will transgress_ When a man hat... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hasteth to be rich_ That is pushed on by his desires to get riches by right or wrong; _hath an evil eye_ Is uncharitable to persons in want, and envious toward those who get any thing besides himself; _and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him_ And, consequently, that he shall ne... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that rebuketh a man_ That reproves him for his faults, though he may displease, nay, anger him at the first; _afterward shall find more favour than he that flattereth_ When the person reproved comes calmly to consider the fidelity, good intention, and disinterestedness of the reprover, and the b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whose robbeth his father or his mother_ Who openly or secretly, by force, fraud, or deceit, by arts or threats, or by negligent or wilful wasting, deprives them of their property, or runs in debt and leaves them to pay it; _and saith_ In his heart; _It is no transgression_ Supposing that he hath a... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that is of a proud heart_ High-minded, self-conceited, insolent, or ambitious; _stirreth up strife_ Because he is constantly endeavouring to advance and please himself, and hates and opposes all that stand in his way; and because he despises other men, is jealous of his own honour, and impatient... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that trusteth in his own heart_ In his own wisdom and counsels, his own strength and sufficiency, his own merit and righteousness, or the good opinion he hath of his own abilities, natural or acquired, neglecting or slighting the advice of others, or the counsel of God; _is a fool_ And shall rec... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack_ Shall not empoverish himself by it, as covetous men imagine or pretend, but shall be enriched, which is implied; _but he that hideth his eyes_ Lest he should see poor and miserable persons, and thereby be moved to pity, or obliged to relieve them; _shall... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the wicked rise_, &c. See on Proverbs 28:12; _but when they perish_ When wicked men are displaced, degraded, and their power is taken from them; _the righteous increase_ They who are righteous appear again in public, and, being advanced to that power which the wicked rulers have lost, they use... [ Continue Reading ]