Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
KJV
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Commentary
Commentary
When the things of God are to be taught precept must be upon precept,
and line upon line, not only because the things themselves are of great
worth and weight, but because men's minds, at the best, are unapt to
admit them and commonly prejudiced against them; and therefore Solomon,
in this chapter, with a great variety of expression and a pleasant
powerful flood of divine eloquence, inculcates the same things that he
had pressed upon us in the foregoing chapters. Here is,
I. An earnest exhortation to the study of wisdom, that is, of true
religion and godliness, borrowed from the good instructions which his
father gave him, and enforced with many considerable arguments, ver. 1-13 .
II. A necessary caution against bad company and all fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, ver. 14-19 .
III. Particular directions for the attaining and preserving of wisdom,
and bringing forth the fruits of it, ver. 20-27 .
So plainly, so pressingly, is the case laid before us, that we shall be
for ever inexcusable if we perish in our folly.
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to
know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the
sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain
my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither
decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and
she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and
with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee
to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of
glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy
life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in
right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when
thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her;
for she is thy life.
I. The invitation which Solomon gives to his children to come and
receive instruction from him
( v. 1, 2 ): Hear, you children, the instruction of a father. That is,
1. "Let my own children, in the first place, receive and give good
heed to those instructions which I set down for the use of others
also." Note, Magistrates and ministers, who are entrusted with the
direction of larger societies, are concerned to take a more than
ordinary care for the good instruction of their own families; from this
duty their public work will by no means excuse them. This charity must
begin at home, though it must not end there; for he that has not his
children in subjection with all gravity, and does not take pains in
their good education, how shall he do his duty as he ought to the
church of God? 1 Tim. iii. 4, 5 .
The children of those that are eminent for wisdom and public usefulness
ought to improve in knowledge and grace in proportion to the advantages
they derive from their relation to such parents. Yet it may be
observed, to save both the credit and the comfort of those parents
whose children do not answer the hopes that arose from their education,
that Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was far from being either one of the
wisest or one of the best. We have reason to think that thousands have
got more good by Solomon's proverbs than his own son did, to whom they
seem to have been dedicated.
2. Let all young people, in the days of their childhood and youth, take
pains to get knowledge and grace, for that is their learning age, and
then their minds are formed and seasoned. He does not say, My children, but You children. We read but of one son that Solomon
had of his own; but (would you think it?) he is willing to set up for a
schoolmaster, and to teach other people's children! for at that age
there is most hope of success; the branch is easily bent when it is
young and tender.
3. Let all that would receive instruction come with the disposition of
children, though they be grown persons. Let all prejudices be laid
aside, and the mind be as white paper. let them be dutiful, tractable,
and self-diffident, and take the word as the word of a father, which
comes both with authority and with affection. We must see it coming
from God as our Father in heaven, to whom we pray, from whom we
expect blessings, the Father of our spirits, to whom we ought to be in
subjection, that we may live. We must look upon our teachers as our
fathers, who love us and seek our welfare; and therefore though the
instruction carry in it reproof and correction, for so the word
signifies, yet we must bid it welcome. Now,
(1.) To recommend it to us, we are told, not only that it is the instruction of a father, but that it is understanding, and therefore should be welcome to intelligent creatures. Religion has
reason on its side, and we are taught it by fair reasoning. It is a law
indeed
( v. 2 ),
but that law is founded upon doctrine, upon unquestionable principles
of truth, upon good doctrine, which is not only faithful, but
worthy of all acceptation. If we admit the doctrine, we cannot but
submit to the law.
(2.) To rivet it in us, we are directed to receive it as a gift, to
attend to it with all diligence, to attend so as to know it, for
otherwise we cannot do it, and not to forsake it by disowning the
doctrine or disobeying the law.
1. How he came by these instructions; he had them from his parents, and
teaches his children the same that they taught him, v. 3, 4 .
Observe,
(1.) His parents loved him, and therefore taught him: I was my
father's son. David had many sons, but Solomon was his son indeed, as Isaac is called
( Gen. xvii. 19 )
and for the same reason, because on him the covenant was entailed. He
was his father's darling, above any of his children. God had a special
kindness for Solomon (the prophet called him Jedidiah, because
the Lord loved him, 2 Sam. xii. 25 ),
and for that reason David had a special kindness for him, for he was a
man after God's own heart. If parents may ever love one child better
than another, it must not be till it plainly appears that God does so.
He was tender, and only beloved, in the sight of his mother. Surely there was a manifest reason for making such a distinction when
both the parents made it. Now we see how they showed their love; they
catechised him, kept him to his book, and held him to a strict
discipline. Though he was a prince, and heir-apparent to the crown, yet
they did not let him live at large; nay, therefore they tutored him
thus. And perhaps David was the more strict with Solomon in his
education because he had seen the ill effects of an undue indulgence in
Adonijah, whom he had not crossed in any thing ( 1 Kings i. 6 ),
as also in Absalom.
(2.) What his parents taught him he teaches others. Observe,
[1.] When Solomon was grown up he not only remembered, but took a
pleasure in repeating, the good lessons his parents taught him when he
was a child. He did not forget them, so deep were the impressions they
made upon him. He was not ashamed of them, such a high value had he for
them, nor did he look upon them as the childish things, the mean
things, which, when he became a man, a king, he should put away, as a
disparagement to him; much less did he repeat them: as some wicked
children have done, to ridicule them, and make his companions merry
with them, priding himself that he had got clear from grave lessons and
restraints.
[2.] Though Solomon was a wise man himself, and divinely inspired, yet,
when he was to teach wisdom, he did not think it below him to quote his
father and to make use of his words. Those that would learn well, and
teach well, in religion, must not affect new-found notions and
new-coined phrases, so as to look with contempt upon the knowledge and
language of their predecessors; if we must keep to the good old way,
why should we scorn the good old words? Jer. vi. 16 .
[3.] Solomon, having been well educated by his parents, thought himself
thereby obliged to give his children a good education, the same that
his parents had given him; and this is one way in which we must requite
our parents for the pains they took with us, even by showing piety at
home, 1 Tim. v. 4 .
They taught us, not only that we might learn ourselves, but that we
might teach our children, the good knowledge of God, Ps. lxxviii. 6 .
And we are false to a trust if we do not; for the sacred deposit of
religious doctrine and law was lodged in our hands with a charge to
transmit it pure and entire to those that shall come after us, 2 Tim. ii. 2 .
[4.] Solomon enforces his exhortations with the authority of his father
David, a man famous in his generation upon all accounts. Be it taken
notice of, to the honour of religion, that the wisest and best men in
every age have been most zealous, not only for the practice of it
themselves, but for the propagating of it to others; and we should
therefore continue in the things which we have learned, knowing of
whom we have learned them, 2 Tim. iii. 14 .
(1.) By way of precept and exhortation. David, in teaching his son,
though he was a child of great capacity and quick apprehension, yet to
show that he was in good earnest, and to affect his child the more with
what he said, expressed himself with great warmth and importunity, and
inculcated the same thing again and again. So children must be taught. Deut. vi. 7 , Thou shalt whet them diligently upon thy children. David, though
he was a man of public business, and had tutors for his son, took all
this pains with him himself.
(2.) By way of motive and inducement thus to labour for wisdom, and
submit to the guidance of it, consider,
[1.] It is the main matter, and that which ought to be the chief and
continual care of every man in this life
( v. 7 ): Wisdom is the principal thing; other things which we are
solicitous to get and keep are nothing to it. It is the whole of
man, Eccl. xii. 13 .
It is that which recommends us to God, which beautifies the soul, which
enables us to answer the end of our creation, to live to some good
purpose in the world, and to get to heaven at last; and therefore it is
the principal thing.
[2.] It has reason and equity on its side
( v. 11 ):
" I have taught thee in the way of wisdom, and so it will be
found to be at last. I have led thee, not in the crooked ways
of carnal policy, which does wrong under colour of wisdom, but in
right paths, agreeable to the eternal rules and reasons of good and
evil." The rectitude of the divine nature appears in the rectitude of
all the divine laws. Observe, David not only taught his son by good
instructions, but led him both by a good example and by applying
general instructions to particular cases; so that nothing was wanting
on his part to make him wise.
[3.] It would be much for his own advantage: "If thou be wise and good,
thou shalt be so for thyself." First, "It will be thy life, thy
comfort, thy happiness; it is what thou canst not live without:" Keep my commandments and live, v. 4 .
That of our Saviour agrees with this, If thou wilt enter into life,
keep the commandments, Matt. xix. 17 .
It is upon pain of death, eternal death, and in prospect of life,
eternal life, that we are required to be religious. "Receive wisdom's
sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many ( v. 10 ),
as many in this world as Infinite Wisdom sees fit, and in the other
world thou shalt live that life the years of which shall never be
numbered. Keep her therefore, whatever it cost thee, for she
is thy life, v. 13 .
All thy satisfaction will be found in this;" and a soul without true
wisdom and grace is really a dead soul. Secondly, "It will be
thy guard and guide, thy convoy and conductor, through all the dangers
and difficulties of thy journey through this wilderness. Love wisdom,
and cleave to her, and she shall preserve thee, she shall keep
thee ( v. 6 )
from sin, the worst of evils, the worst of enemies; she shall keep thee
from hurting thyself, and then none else can hurt thee." As we say,
"Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee;" so, "Keep thy wisdom, and
thy wisdom will keep thee." It will keep us from straits and
stumbling-blocks in the management of ourselves and our affairs, v. 12 .
1. That our steps be not straitened when we go, that we bring not
ourselves into such straits as David was in, 2 Sam. xxiv. 14 .
Those that make God's word their rule shall walk at liberty, and be at
ease in themselves.
2. That our feet do not stumble when we run. If wise and good men be
put upon sudden resolves, the certain rule of God's word which they go
by will keep them even then from stumbling upon any thing that may be
pernicious. Integrity and uprightness will preserve us. Thirdly, "It will be thy honour and reputation
( v. 8 ): Exalt wisdom (do thou but show thy good-will to her advancement)
and though she needs not thy service she will abundantly recompense it, she shall promote thee, she shall bring thee to honour. " Solomon
was to be a king, but his wisdom and virtue would be more his honour
than his crown or purple; it was that for which all his neighbours had
him so much in veneration; and no doubt, in his reign and David's, wise
and good men stood fairest for preferment. However, religion will,
first or last, bring all those to honour that cordially embrace her; they shall be accepted of God, respected by all
wise men, owned in the great day, and shall inherit everlasting glory.
This he insists on
( v. 9 ):
" She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace in this world,
shall recommend thee both to God and man, and in the other world a
crown of glory shall she deliver to thee, a crown that shall never
totter, a crown of glory that shall never wither." That is the true
honour which attends religion. Nobilitas sola est atique unica
virtus--Virtue is the only nobility! David having thus recommended
wisdom to his son, no marvel that when God bade him ask what he would
he prayed, Lord, give me a wise and an understanding heart. We
should make it appear by our prayers how well we are taught.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way
of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and
their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of
violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at
what they stumble.
Some make David's instructions to Solomon, which began v. 4 ,
to continue to the end of the chapter; nay, some continue them to the
end of the ninth chapter; but it is more probable that Solomon begins
here again, if not sooner. In these verses, having exhorted us to walk
in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path of the wicked.
1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid them, every thing
that looks like sin and leads to it.
2. In order to this we must keep out of the ways of sinners, and have
no fellowship with them. For fear of falling into wicked courses, we
must shun wicked company. Here is,
I. The caution itself, v. 14, 15 .
1. We must take heed of falling in with sin and sinners: Enter not
into the paths of the wicked. Our teacher, having like a faithful
guide shown us the right paths ( v. 11 ),
here warns us of the by-paths into which we are in danger of being
drawn aside. Those that have been well educated, and trained up in the
way they should go, let them never turn aside into the way they should
not go; let them not so much as enter into it, no, not to make trial of
it, lest it prove a dangerous experiment and difficult to retreat with
safety. "Venture not into the company of those that are infected with
the plague, no, not though thou think thyself guarded with an
antidote."
2. If at any time we are inveigled into an evil way, we must hasten out
of it. "If, ere thou wast aware, thou didst enter in at the gate,
because it was wide, go not on in the way of evil men. As
soon as thou art made sensible of thy mistake, retire immediately, take
not a step more, stay not a minute longer, in the way that certainly
leads to destruction."
3. We must dread and detest the ways of sin and sinners, and decline
them with the utmost care imaginable. " The way of evil men may
seem a pleasant way and sociable, and the nearest way to the compassing
of some secular end we may have in view; but it is an evil way, and
will end ill, and therefore if thou love thy God and thy soul avoid
it, pass not by it, that thou mayest not be tempted to enter into
it; and, if thou find thyself near it, turn from it and pass
away, and get as far off it as thou canst." The manner of
expression intimates the imminent danger we are in, the need we have of
this caution, and the great importance of it, and that our watchmen
are, or should be, in good earnest, in giving us warning. It intimates
likewise at what a distance we should keep from sin and sinners; he
does not say, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance, the
further the better; never think you can get far enough from it. Escape for thy life: look not behind thee.
1. "Consider the character of the men whose way thou art warned to
shun." They are mischievous men
( v. 16, 17 );
they not only care not what hurt they do to those that stand in their
way, but it is their business to do mischief, and their delight, purely
for mischief-sake. They are continually designing and endeavouring to cause some to fall, to ruin them body and soul. Wickedness and
malice are in their nature, and violence is in all their actions. They
are spiteful in the highest degree; for,
(1.) Mischief is rest and sleep to them. As much satisfaction as a
covetous man has when he has got money, an ambitious man when he has
got preferment, and a good man when he has done good, so much have they
when they have said or done that which is injurious and ill-natured;
and they are extremely uneasy if they cannot get their envy and revenge
gratified, as Haman, to whom every thing was unpleasant as long as
Mordecai was unhanged. It intimates likewise how restless and unwearied
they are in their mischievous pursuits; they will rather be deprived of
sleep than of the pleasure of being vexatious.
(2.) Mischief is meat and drink to them; they feed and feast upon it. They eat the bread of the wickedness (they eat up my people as they
eat bread, Ps. xiv. 4 ) and drink the wine of violence ( v. 17 ), drink iniquity like water, Job xv. 16 .
All they eat and drink is got by rapine and oppression. Do wicked men
think the time lost in which they are not doing hurt? Let good men make
it as much their business and delight to do good. Amici, diem
perdidi--Friends, I have lost a day. And let all that are wise, and
wish well to themselves, avoid the society of the wicked; for,
[1.] It is very scandalous; for there is no disposition of mind that is
a greater reproach to human nature, a greater enemy to human society, a
bolder defiance to God and conscience, that has more of the devil's
image in it, or is more serviceable to his interests, than a delight to
do mischief and to vex, and hurt, and ruin every body.
[2.] It is very dangerous. "Shun those that delight to do mischief as
thou tenderest thy own safety; for, whatever friendship they may
pretend, one time or other they will do thee mischief; thou wilt ruin
thyself if thou dost concur with them
( ch. i. 18 )
and they will ruin thee if thou dost not."
2. "Consider the character of the way itself which thou art warned to
shun, compared with the right way which thou art invited to walk
in."
(1.) The way of righteousness is light
( v. 18 ): The path of the just, which they have chosen, and in which they
walk, is as light; the light shines on their ways ( Job xxii. 28 )
and makes them both safe and pleasant. Christ is their way and
he is the light. They are guided by the word of God and that is a light to their feet; they themselves are light in the
Lord and they walk in the light as he is in the light. [1.] It is a shining light. Their way shines to themselves in
the joy and comfort of it; it shines before others in the lustre and
honour of it; it shines before men, who see their good works, Matt. v. 16 .
They go on in their way with a holy security and serenity of mind, as
those that walk in the light. It is as the morning-light, which shines out of obscurity ( Isa. lviii. 8, 10 )
and puts an end to the works of darkness. [2.] It is a growing light; it shines more and more, not like
the light of a meteor, which soon disappears, or that of a candle,
which burns dim and burns down, but like that of the rising sun, which
goes forward shining, mounts upward shining. Grace, the guide of this
way, is growing; he that has clean hands shall be stronger and
stronger. That joy which is the pleasure of this way, that honour
which is the brightness of it, and all that happiness which is indeed
its light, shall be still increasing.
[3.] It will arrive, in the end, at the perfect day. The light
of the dayspring will at length be noon-day light, and it is this that
the enlightened soul is pressing towards. The saints will not be
perfect till they come to heaven, but there they shall themselves shine as the sun when he goes forth in his strength, Matt. xiii. 43 .
Their graces and joys shall be all consummate. Therefore it is our
wisdom to keep close to the path of the just.
(2.) The way of sin is as darkness, v. 19 .
The works he had cautioned us not to have fellowship with are works
of darkness. What true pleasure and satisfaction can those have who
know no pleasure and satisfaction but what they have in doing mischief?
What sure guide have those that cast God's word behind them? The way
of the wicked is dark, and therefore dangerous; for they stumble
and yet know not at what they stumble. They fall into sin, but
are not aware which way the temptation came by which they were
overthrown, and therefore know not how to avoid it the next time. They
fall into trouble, but never enquire wherefore God contends with them;
they consider not that they do evil, nor what will be in the end
of it, Ps. lxxxii. 5; Job xviii. 5, 6 .
This is the way we are directed to shun.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my
sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst
of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to
all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the
issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put
far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look
straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be
established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot
from evil.
Solomon, having warned us not to do evil, here teaches us how to do
well. It is not enough for us to shun the occasions of sin, but we must
study the methods of duty.
I. We must have a continual regard to the word of God and endeavour
that it may be always ready to us.
1. The sayings of wisdom must be our principles by which we must govern
ourselves, our monitors to warn us of duty and danger; and therefore,
(1.) We must receive them readily: " Incline thy ear to them ( v. 20 );
humbly bow to them; diligently listen to them." The attentive hearing
of the word of God is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart
and a good means of carrying it on. It is to be hoped that those are
resolved to do their duty who are inclined to know it.
(2.) We must retain them carefully
( v. 21 );
we must lay them before us as our rule: " Let them not depart from
thy eyes; view them, review them, and in every thing aim to conform
to them." We must lodge them within us, as a commanding principle, the
influences of which are diffused throughout the whole man: " Keep
them in the midst of thy heart, as things dear to thee, and which
thou art afraid of losing." Let the word of God be written in the
heart, and that which is written there will remain.
2. The reason why we must thus make much of the words of wisdom is
because they will be both food and physic to us, like the tree of
life, Rev. xxii. 2; Ezek. xlvii. 12 .
Those that seek and find them, find and keep them, shall find in them,
(1.) Food: For they are life unto those that find them, v. 22 .
As the spiritual life was begun by the word as the instrument of it, so
by the same word it is still nourished and maintained. We could not
live without it; we may by faith live upon it.
(2.) Physic. They are health to all their flesh, to the whole
man, both body and soul; they help to keep both in good plight. They
are health to all flesh, so the LXX. There is enough to cure all
the diseases of this distempered world. They are a medicine to all
their flesh (so the word is), to all their corruptions, for they
are called flesh, to all their grievances, which are as thorns in the
flesh. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all our
spiritual maladies.
II. We must keep a watchful eye and a strict hand upon all the motions
of our inward man, v. 23 .
Here is,
1. A great duty required by the laws of wisdom, and in order to our
getting and preserving wisdom: Keep thy heart with all
diligence. God, who gave us these souls, gave us a strict charge
with them: Man, woman, keep thy heart; take heed to thy spirit, Deut. iv. 9 .
We must maintain a holy jealousy of ourselves, and set a strict guard,
accordingly, upon all the avenues of the soul; keep our hearts from
doing hurt and getting hurt, from being defiled by sin and disturbed by
trouble; keep them as our jewel, as our vineyard; keep a conscience
void of offence; keep out bad thoughts; keep up good thoughts; keep the
affections upon right objects and in due bounds. Keep them with all
keepings (so the word is); there are many ways of keeping
things--by care, by strength, by calling in help, and we must use them
all in keeping our hearts; and all little enough, so deceitful are
they, Jer. xvii. 9 .
Or above all keepings; we must keep our hearts with more care
and diligence than we keep any thing else. We must keep our eyes
( Job xxxi. 1 ),
keep our tongues
( Ps. xxxiv. 13 ),
keep our feet
( Eccl. v. 1 ),
but, above all, keep our hearts.
2. A good reason given for this care, because out of it are the
issues of life. Out of a heart well kept will flow living issues,
good products, to the glory of God and the edification of others. Or,
in general, all the actions of the life flow from the heart, and
therefore keeping that is making the tree good and healing the springs.
Our lives will be regular or irregular, comfortable or uncomfortable,
according as our hearts are kept or neglected.
III. We must set a watch before the door of our lips, that we
offend not with out tongue
( v. 24 ): Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips. Our hearts
being naturally corrupt, out of them a great deal of corrupt
communication is apt to come, and therefore we must conceive a great
dread and detestation of all manner of evil words, cursing, swearing,
lying, slandering, brawling, filthiness, and foolish talking, all which
come from a froward mouth and perverse lips, that will not be
governed either by reason or religion, but contradict both, and which
are as unsightly and ill-favoured before God as a crooked distorted
mouth drawn awry is before men. All manner of tongue sins, we must, by
constant watchfulness and stedfast resolution, put from us, put far from us, abstaining from all words that have an appearance
of evil and fearing to learn any such words.
IV. We must make a covenant with our eyes: "Let them look right on
and straight before thee, v. 24 .
Let the eye be fixed and not wandering; let it not rove after every
thing that presents itself, for then it will be diverted form good and
ensnared in evil. Turn it from beholding vanity; let thy eye be single
and not divided; let thy intentions be sincere and uniform, and look
not asquint at any by-end." We must keep our eye upon our Master, and
be careful to approve ourselves to him; keep our eye upon our rule, and
conform to that; keep our eye upon our mark, the prize of the high
calling, and direct all towards that. Oculum in metam -- The
eye upon the goal.
V. We must act considerately in all we do
( v. 26 ): Ponder the path of thy feet, weigh it (so the word is); "put the
word of God in one scale, and what thou hast done, or art about to do,
in the other, and see how they agree; be nice and critical in examining
whether thy way be good before the Lord and whether it will end well."
We must consider our past ways and examine what we have done, and our
present ways, what we are doing, whither we are going, and see that
we walk circumspectly. It concerns us to consider what are the
duties and what the difficulties, what are the advantages and what the
dangers, of our way, that we may act accordingly. "Do nothing
rashly."
VI. We must act with steadiness, caution, and consistency: " Let all
thy ways be established ( v. 26 )
and be not unstable in them, as the double-minded man is; halt not
between two, but go on in an even uniform course of obedience; turn
not to the right hand not to the left, for there are errors on both
hands, and Satan gains his point if he prevails to draw us aside either
way. Be very careful to remove thy foot from evil; take heed of
extremes, for in them there is evil, and let thy eyes look right
on, that thou mayest keep the golden mean." Those that would
approve themselves wise must always be watchful.
INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 4
In this chapter Solomon advises to seek after wisdom, to avoid bad company, and to continue in the right paths of goodness and truth: he excites attention to what he had to say, from the relation he stood in to the persons addressed; from the nature of his instructions, which were good and profitable; and from his own example, in attending to those his parents gave him, Pr 4:1; He exhorts above all things to get wisdom, from the superior excellency of it, and from the preservation, promotion, and honour, to be had by it, Pr 4:5; and he further enforces big exhortations, from their being the means of a comfortable life, and of the prolongation of it, and of leading in a right way without straitness or stumbling, Pr 4:10. And then proceeds to caution against bad company, and going into a bad way of life; which is enforced from the mischief done by those that walk in it, and from the darkness of it, to which the path of the just is opposed, Pr 4:14. And the exhortation to attend to and observe his instructions, and keep them, is repeated, from the consideration of their being life and health to them, Pr 4:20; and that they might be preserved, and not departed from, direction's are given about ordering the heart, mouth, lips, eyes, and feet, Pr 4:23.
Ver. 1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,.... Either of God their father, as Gersom interprets it; or rather of Solomon their father: and so he recommends his instruction from the relation he stood in to them; for, since he was their father, he would give them no bad instruction; and, since they were his children, they ought to receive it: by whom are meant, not his children in a natural sense, or the children of his body; but his disciples, such who applied to him for knowledge, and whom he undertook to learn;
and attend to know understanding; what would serve to enlighten, enlarge, improve, and inform their understandings; what would lead them into the knowledge and understanding of things divine and spiritual, and which would be worth knowing; and of having their understandings stored and enriched with.
Proverbs 4:2
Ver. 2. For I give you good doctrine,.... Whose author, matter, use, and tendency, are good, and therefore should be received; so the Gospel is called, 1Ti 4:6; and no other is here meant: it is the doctrine concerning Wisdom or Christ, as the following verses show; which serves to exalt him, and makes for the good and welfare of immortal souls; and such is the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ and his apostles, even all the doctrines and truths of the Gospel;
forsake you not my law; or "doctrine" {o}; not the law given on Mount Sinai, as Gersom interprets it; but the doctrine of Christ, which goes out from Mount Zion: this the children of Wisdom should not neglect, relinquish, drop, or depart from; but should keep it, and abide by it.
{o} ytrwt "doctrinam meam", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Amama; "instructionem meam", Schultens.
Proverbs 4:3
Ver. 3. For I was my father's son,.... Or, "a son to my father" {p}; so Solomon was to God, his heavenly Father, 2Sa 7:14; which Jarchi observes, and gives as the sense of this place: but his father David is meant, whose son he was; though he was not his only one, he had others besides him. But the sense is, that he was his darling, his beloved son, whom he loved above the rest; as he was beloved of the Lord, and therefore his name was called Jedidiah, so he was beloved of his father; and, because he had a peculiar love for him, he took a particular care of his education;
tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother; his mother Bathsheba, who had a most affectionate regard to him; and therefore in his tender age, as soon as he was susceptible of instructions, gave them to him, which being received, made deep and lasting impressions on him; see Pr 31:1. The marginal reading is, "to the sons of my mother"; for Bathsheba had more sons, 1Ch 3:5; both readings may be retained, "beloved in the sight of my mother's sons". Gersom interprets this of the people of , who were sons to God their Father; and were the only nation that received the law, and which they received at the time of their coming out of , in the days of their youth.
{p} ybal ytyyh Nb "filius fui patri meo", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Cocceius, Schultens.
Proverbs 4:4
Ver. 4. He taught me also, and said unto me,.... The Targum is,
"they taught me,''
his father and his mother; and so the Septuagint version,
"who said and taught me;''
and the Arabic version,
"they both taught me, and said unto me;''
but in the Hebrew it is singular, and is restrained to the father. He taught him when he was very young, and also gave him instructions when he was older, and a little before his own death; see 1Ch 28:8; he taught him by the several psalms he wrote; some of which are called "maschil", instructive or causing to understand; two of them particularly were written for him, the seventy-second and the hundred twenty-seventh psalms; he taught him in the following words. How far the words of David his father reach is not agreed on, on all hands; some think they end with Pr 4:5; others with Pr 4:6, others with the Pr 4:9, and the words of Solomon begin at Pr 4:10: some will have it that they take in the whole chapter, which is not probable; nay, others say that the whole of the book following is his, which can by no means be agreed to: it seems most likely to me that they end at Pr 4:6, and at most are not to be carried beyond Pr 4:9;
let thine heart retain my words: says David to his son: the instructions he gave him by word of mouth, concerning his moral behaviour, relating to political things, the government of the people; and especially such as concerned the everlasting welfare of his soul, or were about Wisdom or Christ, and the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; these he would have him lay up in his heart, and keep them there, as a rich treasure, to have recourse unto upon all occasions;
keep my commandments, and live: which commandments may respect him both in his private and public capacity, and in a religious and political one; how he should behave as a man, a king, and one that feared God: as well as they may respect his orders for the building of the temple, and settling and establishing the worship of God in it; by observing which he would live comfortably and honourably, and to a good old age.
Proverbs 4:5
Ver. 5. Get wisdom, get understanding,.... Not only moral and political wisdom and understanding, but that which is spiritual and evangelical; Christ, and the knowledge of him; he being the only happy man that has an interest in him, and is possessed of him by faith, which is the meaning of getting him; See Gill on "Pr 3:13"; by which it appears, that what Solomon had before delivered, and afterwards repeats and urges, was the same his father David, that wise, great, and good man, taught him; and which he mentions, the more to recommend the getting of wisdom and understanding to others;
forget [it] not; when gotten, keep it in remembrance; be continually meditating on Wisdom, or Christ, his glories and excellencies; the fulness of grace and truth in him; the blessings of goodness which come by him; the great use and profit of having and enjoying him;
neither decline from the words of my mouth; the above instructions, and all others he gave unto him.
Proverbs 4:6
Ver. 6. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee,.... That is, Wisdom, or Christ. Men may be said to forsake Christ when they forsake the assembly of his church and people, which are his other self; when they forsake his ministers, his ambassadors, and representatives; when they forsake his word and ordinances; when they drop the doctrines of the Gospel, or depart from them; when they quit the profession they have formerly made. Nominal believers and formal professors may forsake him finally and totally; true believers only partially and for a time, through the weakness of the flesh, the temptations of Satan, the snares of the world, and the prevalence of corruption; and therefore such an exhortation is necessary, and ought to be regarded. To forsake Christ is a very great evil; it is against a man's own interest, and is of dangerous consequence, and therefore to be guarded against; to abide by him, his truths and ordinances, is very commendable; such shall be "preserved" by him safe to his kingdom and glory;
love her, and she shall keep thee; Christ is to be loved for the excellencies and perfections of his nature; for the loveliness of his person; for the love he has showed to his people; for what he in love has done and suffered for them, and is now doing; for the fulness of his grace and salvation, and the suitableness of them to them; for the communion he indulges them in with himself; for the relations of an head, husband, father, brother, and friend, he stands in to them: and also under the character of Wisdom, he being the only wise God and their Saviour, the Wisdom of God and Wisdom to them; and whose Gospel is the Wisdom of God in a mystery. He is to be loved, all of him and that belong unto him, and above all creatures and things, ardently, sincerely, and constantly; and such lovers of him shall be "kept" by him from the evil of the world; from the power and dominion of sin, and condemnation by it; from being destroyed by Satan, and his temptations; and from a final and total falling away, so as not to perish everlastingly; they are kept in his own hands, in his Father's love and his own, in the everlasting covenant; and in a state of grace, of sanctification, justification, and adoption. Not that loving Christ, and cleaving to him, are the causes of this preservation; but his love, grace, and power; yet these are descriptive of the persons kept and preserved: and the preservation and keeping of them is used as an argument to love him, and cleave unto him.
Proverbs 4:7
Ver. 7. Wisdom [is] the principal thing,.... Or principal, one; the principal of persons and things; the principal of persons, angels or men: Christ is superior to angels, having a more excellent name and nature than they; he is the God, the Creator, and head of them, and is above them in the human nature; he is superior to men, to the greatest of men, he is King of kings and Lord of lords, and to the best of men the saints. Are they kings? he is their King: are they priests? he is the great High Priest: are any of them prophets, teachers, shepherds? he is the great Prophet in ; a Teacher, that never any taught or spoke like him; the chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls: is the church a family? he is the Master of it: is it a body? he is the Head: is it a building? he is the Foundation and Corner Stone; yea, the chief Master Builder. He is the beginning and chief of all God's ways, and the chief in them; in election, in the council of peace, and covenant of grace; in redemption and salvation, in grace and glory; he is all in all. Or the words may be rendered, "Wisdom [is] the beginning" {q}; so Christ is called, Col 1:18; a phrase expressive of his eternity, and of his being the first cause and author of all things, both in the old and new creation. Or thus, that which is "the beginning of wisdom get" {r}, &c. which is the fear of the Lord; see Pr 1:7;
[therefore] get wisdom; not an interest in Christ, but a knowledge of it; and make use of all means to obtain a greater knowledge of him, and of interest in him, which is what the apostle calls "winning" Christ; by which he means, not getting an interest in him, that he had already, but gaining a greater degree of knowledge of him, as the context shows, Php 3:8; or, "buy wisdom" {s}; that is, without money and without price; so Christ advises to buy gold and white raiment of him, his grace and righteousness, Re 3:18;
and with all thy getting get understanding; another name for Christ; see Pr 8:14; Or, "along with all thy getting" {t}, or "above all"; let not Christ be wanting; he is the one thing needful, the good and better part and portion, which, if missing, all other substance signifies little: or part with all for this pearl of great price, Wisdom, and prefer it to all worldly substance; look upon all but dross in comparison of Christ and the knowledge of him: all other gettings or substance are only for the body, this for the soul, and the eternal welfare of it; they are only for a time, this for eternity; they are not satisfying, but, having this, a soul has enough, has all things; Christ being his, all things are his; he possesses all things, and all other things are not blessings without him.
{q} hmkx tyvar "principium sapientiae", Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus. {r} "Principium sapientiae est hoc, comparas sapientiam", Michaelis; "quae est caput sapientiae eam acquire", &c. Junius & Tremellius. {s} hmkx hnq "eme sapientiam", Pagninus, Cocceius. {t} Knynq lkl "in omne possessione tua", V. L. "in omne acquisitione tua", Montanus; "prae universis quae possides", Tigurine version, Vatablus.
Proverbs 4:8
Ver. 8. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee,.... Christ is to be exalted in his person, by asserting his proper deity; by ascribing all divine perfections to him; by allowing him to be the author of all divine works; by giving him divine worship and homage; by owning his divine and eternal sonship, and distinct personality: he is to be exalted in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, and as the only Redeemer and Saviour; by trusting in him, embracing his Gospel, and submitting to his ordinances, and such that exalt him, he will "promote" them here and hereafter; of which more in the next clause. According to the Talmudists {u}, the word for "exalt" signifies a diligent search, by turning things about to find out what is sought; and so the Septuagint interpret the word in the sense of "searching",
Jer 50:26;
she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her: by faith: for this is an act of faith, and a very considerable one, and is expressive of great nearness to Christ, of much intimacy and familiarity with him, of strong love and affection to him, of a good degree of boldness used with him, and of joy and exaltation in him; for such an action is used by persons near akin, and are very familiar with, and have a very great affection for one another, and use much freedom with each other, and rejoice at meeting together. Now such who embrace Christ, in the arms of their faith, as their alone Saviour, such he promotes and "brings to honour"; not to honour among men, for to embrace Christ and exalt him is the way to disgrace, though the disgrace is an honour, and will be before long rolled off; but to honour hereafter. Such will be set at his right hand, and be owned by him before his Father and his angels; and they will be placed on the same throne with him, and will reign with him for ever and ever; see 1Sa 2:30.
{u} T. Bab. Roshhashanah, fol. 26. 2.
Proverbs 4:9
Ver. 9. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace,.... This, and the following clause, explain what that honour is Christ promotes and brings his followers to here and hereafter: he gives them grace and more grace; "an increase of grace", so the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and some think James refers to this passage, Pr 4:6. The grace that Christ gives is very ornamental to his people: justifying grace greatly beautifies and adorns them; it not only covers the nakedness of their souls, and all their spots and imperfections, and through it all their sins are caused to pass from them; but they are made exceeding beautiful, perfectly comely through this comeliness, a perfection of beauty by it; and which is often signified by that which is very ornamental, rich, and costly, as fine linen, clothing of wrought gold, raiment of needlework, a Wedding garment, stuck with jewels and precious stones: sanctifying grace, which also is Christ's gift, is very ornamental; it is called "the beauty of holiness"; it is that by which a man is made like to God, and conformed to the image of Christ; it is the curious workmanship of the Spirit of God; or what makes a man beautiful, and makes him meet for heaven and happiness: every grace is ornamental; faith, hope, love, humility, &c. these are like rows of jewels, and chains of gold, about the neck. And when this ornament is said to be given "to the head", it is not to be understood of the natural head of a man, but of his whole person, it gives a comeliness to; and may denote the visibility of it, as it appears in the life and conversation;
a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee; by which is meant eternal glory and happiness, called a "crown", an ensign of royal dignity, which, belongs to such as are made kings and priests unto God; and is given to conquerors, even who are more than conquerors through Christ, and as a reward of diligence and faithfulness, Re 2:10. It is sometimes called a crown of life, a crown of righteousness, an incorruptible and never-fading one, and, as here, "a crown of glory"; the saints in heaven will have a glory put upon them, both in soul and body; they will appear with Christ in glory, and be crowned with glory and honour, as he is; they will be clothed and surrounded with it: and so some render it,
"she will compass thee about with a crown of glory as with a shield'' {w};
see Ps 5:12. This Christ is said to "deliver"; it is in his hands, laid up in him, and is safe with him; he has power to dispose of it, and it may be expected from him; see 2Ti 4:8.
{w} Kngmt uperaspish sou, Sept. "proteget te", V. L. "muniet te", Montanus, Tigerine version; "cinget te", Gejerus.
Proverbs 4:10
Ver. 10. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings,.... Some think David is still speaking to his son Solomon, or Solomon continues relating what his father said to him; though I rather think these are Solomon's words to his son, to everyone of his children that came to him for instruction, or he took upon him to teach; whom he advises to listen to what he had further to say, and to embrace, and not reject, his doctrines;
and the years of thy life shall be many; see Pr 3:1; long life here, and length of days for ever and ever, or eternal life hereafter; which must be a very forcible argument to engage attention to his sayings.
Proverbs 4:11
Ver. 11. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom,.... In the way that leads to it, or is concerning it; in the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery, the manifold wisdom of God, and which directs to Christ and the knowledge of him, who is true wisdom; this is another reason or argument why the wise man's instructions should be attended to;
I have led thee in right paths; in paths of righteousness, holiness, and truth; in such as are agreeable to the will and word of God, and which lead right on to the city of habitation; and therefore such teachings and leadings should be followed, and such ways walked in.
Proverbs 4:12
Ver. 12. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened,.... By enemies, or attended with difficulties and obstructions, or subject to dangers, but be at freedom and liberty in walking; for though saints do not walk in the broad road with sinners, yet they are brought into a large place, and their steps are enlarged under them, and their hearts are enlarged to run the way of God's commandments; and a wide field of truth and duty such have to walk in, who are taught and led in the ways of wisdom and righteousness, Ps 18:19;
and when thou runnest, thou shall not stumble; such that make haste to keep the commandments of God, that run with alacrity and cheerfulness in their Christian race, and in the way of their duty, shall not stumble, through the deceitfulness of sin, the snares of the world, and the temptations of Satan, so as to fall and perish.
Proverbs 4:13
Ver. 13. Take fast hold of instruction,.... Not the law, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it; but the instruction of wisdom, the doctrine of Christ or the Gospel; see Pr 8:1; which is an instruction into the mind and will of God, concerning the salvation of men; into the grace of God, showing that salvation, in all its branches, is of pure grace; into the person and offices of Christ, and into the business of salvation through him; into the doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life by him. This should be "taken fast hold of"; in order to which, men should take heed unto it, attentively hear it; they should come with a cordial affection to it, and an eager desire after it, or they will never lay fast hold on it; for taking fast hold, as it supposes a careful attention to the Gospel, so a reception of it in the love of it, and an eagerness to be possessed of it: such may be said to take fast hold on it, who receive it into their hearts, and not into their heads only; head knowledge of the Gospel instruction is not hold fast enough, it must be heart knowledge of it; it is taken fast hold on when it is mixed with faith when heard; when it is digested and incorporated as it were into men, and becomes the ingrafted word; when men are led experimentally and practically into it, and are not hearers only, but doers of it; and, being thus taken fast hold of,
let [her] not go; the instruction of wisdom, or the Gospel of Christ; do not drop it, nor depart from it, nor waver about it; nor be languid in a profession of it, nor indifferent to it: "be not remiss" {x}, as the word signifies; or let not thine hand be remiss, or let not thine hand go; having, as it were with both hands, took fast hold of the Gospel, hold it fast, neither drop it through negligence and carelessness, nor suffer it to be taken from thee by fraud or force;
keep her, for she [is] thy life; which may be understood either of the Gospel, Wisdom's instruction, which should be kept as a rich treasure, and not parted with at any rate; since it is the means of quickening dead sinners; of showing sensible ones the way of life by Christ; of producing faith in them, by which they live upon him; and of maintaining and supporting the spiritual life in them, and of reviving and comforting them under the most drooping and afflictive circumstances; a man would as soon part with his life surely as part with this! Or else, seeing the feminine gender is here used, which does not agree with the word translated "instruction", but with "wisdom", mentioned Pr 4:11; so Aben Ezra; therefore Christ may be here meant, who is to be kept as the pearl of great price, being more precious than rubies and all desirable things, and especially since he is the "life" of his people: he is the author and maintainer of their spiritual life; he is their life itself, it is hid with him; and because he lives, they live also: all the comforts and supplies of life are from him, and he is their eternal life; it is given through him and by him, and ties greatly in the enjoyment of him.
{x} Prt la "ne remittas", Tigurine version, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
Proverbs 4:14
Ver. 14. Enter not into the path of the wicked,.... Which leads to eternal death; join not with them in their wicked ways and practices; have no fellowship, keep no company, with them; do not set one foot in the path they tread, lest thou shouldest be tempted to proceed to more ungodliness; you do not know where and when there will be a stop, when once you begin, therefore enter not. The Vulgate Latin version is, "do not delight in the paths of the ungodly": but this supposes not only entrance, but progress and continuance in them, whereas the first is dehorted from in these words:
and go not in the way of evil [men]; if tempted and prevailed upon to take a step and make a trial, do not proceed; withdraw at once, do not go on. Some render it, seeing the word used has sometimes the signification of blessedness in it, "do not esteem the way of evil men blessed" {y}; nor reckon thyself or them happy that walk in such ways; they are far from it: hence the Targum, Septuagint, and Syriac versions are, "do not envy the ways of wicked men"; their seeming pleasure will end in bitterness: the Arabic version is, "do not imitate" them; do not follow their example, and do as they do.
{y} Myer Krdb rvat "in via malorum ne te beatum existimes", Tiguriue version; "ne beatam praedices viam malorum", Michaelis.
Proverbs 4:15
Ver. 15. Avoid it,.... As dangerous and pernicious, as abominable and detestable; or, "flee from it", as the Vulgate Latin version: Jarchi and Gersom interpret it, "make it void"; cause it to cease, destroy it, do all you can to hinder the wicked from accomplishing their designs;
pass not by it; do not come near it; keep at a distance from it, that you may not be drawn into it; abstain from all appearance of evil, and everything that may lead to it;
turn from it, and pass away; the Targum adds, "from them", from wicked men. This heap of words is used to show the danger of bad company; to dissuade from the least approach to it; and to express the vehement desire of the wise man to preserve his son, and all well inclined persons, from it.
Proverbs 4:16
Ver. 16. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief,.... Or they cannot sleep, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it. Oftentimes they cannot sleep on their beds for devising mischief, their thoughts are so intensely set on contriving wicked schemes; and when they have so done, they cannot sleep until they have executed them; they are continually restless and uneasy day and night, like the troubled sea, constantly casting up mire and dirt. Who would keep such company as these?
and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall; into the snares and traps they lay for them, or into sin and calamity by it; the former of which they endeavour by all means to draw men into, and the latter is the unavoidable consequence of it. They imitate their father the devil, both delight in sin, and in the ruin of their fellow creatures; it is a sport to thereto do mischief, and they have no pleasure without it; see Pr 11:23. What company are such!
Proverbs 4:17
Ver. 17. For they eat the bread of wickedness,.... Either that is gotten by wicked and unlawful means, or wickedness itself is bread unto them; it is that to their minds as bread is to their bodies; they feed upon it with as much eagerness, appetite, gust, and pleasure; it is a sweet morsel to them; it is meat, drink, sleep, and everything to them; they take the highest satisfaction and the utmost delight in it;
and drink the wine of violence: either that which is obtained by rapine and violence; or they as greedily commit such acts of oppression and injury as a man drinks a glass of wine; they do not drink up iniquity like water only, but even like wine, the most generous and delicious. Wherefore all society with such men should be avoided.
Proverbs 4:18
Ver. 18. But the path of the just [is] as the shining light,.... The "just" man is one that is made righteous through the righteousness of Christ imputed to him; and who is created anew in Christ, in righteousness and true holiness; and, under the influence of divine grace, lives soberly, righteously, and godly: the "path" he is directed to walk in, and does, is Christ himself, the way, the truth, and the life; through whose blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, he goes to God for grace and mercy, for peace, pardon, and acceptance, for fresh supplies of grace, and in order to enjoy communion with him; and who also is the way of salvation, and to eternal life and happiness: and, besides this grand and principal path, there are the paths of truth, righteousness, and holiness; the path of duty and obedience; the way of the commandments of God, and ordinances of Christ: and this path he walks in, whether of grace or duty, is "as the shining light"; or of the morning, when the day first dawns, or at least when the sun rises. Such is the light beamed in at first conversion, which directs men to walk in the above mentioned paths; it is a light after a night of darkness, as such is the state of unregeneracy; which, though at first is but glimmering, yet afterwards is clear and shining; especially when Christ the sun of righteousness appears, or is revealed, as the hope of glory. The first grace in conversion is a "true light [that] shines", 1Jo 2:8, by which a soul sees its own vileness and filthiness, the insufficiency of its own righteousness; and the fulness, suitableness, and ability Christ as a Saviour, and has some discerning of Gospel truths;
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day; or "going and shining" {z}, or "enlightening": it shines clearer and clearer, so does true grace; it grows and increases more and more, every grace does, faith, hope, love, patience, humility, &c. the light of the knowledge of Christ the way, though it is imperfect, yet capable of being increased, and is increased by means of the ministry of the word and ordinances; which increase God has promised, saints pursue after, and attain unto. Light into the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, increases yet more and more; whereby a soul walks pleasantly, comfortably, and safely, in right path, "until the perfect day" of glory comes, a day without clouds; when there will be nothing to interpose between God and them; when there will be no more clouds of darkness, unbelief, doubts, and fears; when the sun will always be seen, no more withdrawn, eclipsed, or set; even Christ, the sun of righteousness, whose glory will always be beheld by the righteous to all eternity: when there will be no more night of affliction, desertion, and death; when the light of knowledge will be clear and perfect, and saints shall see face to face, and know as they are known; and when not only the light of the righteous shall be so clear, distinct, and perfect, but they themselves shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of God. The words may be rendered, "the prepared day" {a}; appointed in the decrees of God, and firmly established by them: the invisible glories of the heavenly state, which make this everlasting day, are things which God has prepared for his people; the kingdom and glory itself, the inheritance of the saints in light, is prepared for them from the foundation of the world. And, since such is the path of the just, who would walk in the ways of the wicked? which are the reverse of this, as the following words show.
{z} rwaw Klwh "vadens et illuminans", Montanus; "ambulans et lucens", Gejerus; "pergens et lucens", Michaelis; "procedens et lucens", Schultens. {a} Mwyh Nwkn de "usque ad paratum diem", Pagninus, Montanus.
Proverbs 4:19
Ver. 19. The way of the wicked [is] as darkness,.... They are in the darkness of sin, ignorance, error, and unbelief; their works are works of darkness; the way in which they are leads to eternal darkness, ruin, and misery, and so must be most uncomfortable and dangerous;
they know not at what they stumble; they stumble at the word, which they are ignorant of, and at Christ, whom they have no knowledge of; and through the temptations of Satan and snares of the world, which they are not aware of, nor upon their guard against.
Proverbs 4:20
Ver. 20. My son, attend to my words,.... Which go before and which follow after, his doctrines, instructions, cautions, and exhortations;
incline thine ear unto my sayings; stoop and bow the ear; listen attentively to what is said, as being of the greatest moment and importance.
Proverbs 4:21
Ver. 21. Let them not depart from thine eyes,.... Commit them to writing, frequently read them over; let them be always in sight, as a rule and directory to steer the course of life by. Some understand this of the wicked, as if the sense was, let not them, the wicked, cause them to depart from thine eyes; nor thee to neglect them, by their bad advice, solicitations to sin, and ill examples; See Gill on "Pr 3:21";
keep them in the midst of thine heart; lay them up there, and ponder them; often meditate upon them, and do not forget them; show the most affectionate regard unto them, and look upon them as a most inestimable treasure, for which no place is so fit a repository as the heart.
Proverbs 4:22
Ver. 22. For they [are] life unto those that find them,.... The words or doctrines of Christ, whose type Solomon was, are to be found in the field of the Scriptures, by diligent searching for them; and being found, they are the means of spiritual life, and of maintaining it, and of showing the way, and bringing unto eternal life; see Joh 6:63;
and health to all their flesh; the whole man, soul and body, as they are the means of preserving the body from many diseases, which intemperance, lust, and luxury, lead unto, and are curbed by these; so of healing the various diseases of the soul; and, however, of directing to a panacea for them, to the blood of Christ, which is the true balm of Gilead, and he the physician of souls. Moreover, the doctrines of the Gospel are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus; they are sound, salutary, and healthful, and serve to keep the soul in good plight, and the body too. The Septuagint render it, "to all flesh": that is, to all men; but this is not true in fact; for to some the Gospel of Christ, through contempt and rejection of it, is the savour of death unto death.
Proverbs 4:23
Ver. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence,.... The mind from vanity, the understanding from error, the will from perverseness, the conscience clear of guilt, the affections from being inordinate and set on evil objects, the thoughts from being employed on bad subjects; and the whole from falling into the hands of the enemy, or being the possession of Satan: great diligence had need be used in keeping it, since it is naturally so deceitful and treacherous; a strict eye is to be kept upon it; all the avenues to it to be watched, that nothing hurtful enters, or evil comes out; it is to be kept by all manner of means that can be thought of, by prayer, hearing, reading, meditation; and, above all, by applying to Christ for his grace and Spirit to sanctify, preserve, and keep it. Or, "above all keeping, keep thine heart" {b}; though other things are to be kept, and care taken of them, as kingdoms and cities, and towns and families, and treasures and riches; yet the heart above all:
for out of it [are] the issues of life; of natural life: it is the seat of it, from whence all actions of life are derived; it is, as philosophers say, the first that lives, and the last that dies; and it is the seat of spiritual life the principle of it is formed in it; from whence all spiritual and vital actions flow, and which lead unto and issue in eternal life: as is a man's heart, such is his state now, and will be hereafter; if the heart is quickened and sanctified by the grace of God, the man will live a life of faith and holiness here, and enjoy everlasting life hereafter: and if the heart is right, so will the actions of men be; they are regulated and denominated by it; they will then spring from right principles, and be directed to right ends, and performed with right views; great care therefore should be taken of the heart, since so much depends upon it, and it is so well known to God the searcher of it.
{b} rmvm lkm "prae omni custodia", Vatablus, Baynus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens; so Aben Ezra and Ben Melech.
Proverbs 4:24
Ver. 24. Put away from thee a froward mouth,.... A mouth speaking froward and perverse things; things contrary to right reason, to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; blasphemies against God or men; every thing that is untrue, unchaste, unjust, foolish, and filthy; all swearing, lying, and everything that is repugnant to truth and justice. Some understand it of men that are liars, blasphemers, and froward persons, who are to be shunned and avoided, and to be debarred the houses and society of good men;
and perverse lips put far from thee; do not make use of them thyself, nor keep company with men of such a character. Much the same thing is meant as before.
Proverbs 4:25
Ver. 25. Let thine eyes look right on,.... To the path of truth and holiness, without turning or looking to the right hand or left, as it is afterwards expressed; to the word of truth, as the rule to walk by; to Christ, the author and finisher of faith, from whom all grace, and the supplies of it, are to be had; and to the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God;
and thine eyelids look straight before thee; to the precepts of the word, to observe them; to the promises of it for encouragement; to the examples of the saints gone before, as motives to excite diligence, and to exercise patience, faith, and hope; to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life, and to the blessed hope laid up in heaven.
Proverbs 4:26
Ver. 26. Ponder the path of thy feet,.... Consider well what path it is, whether right or wrong; or weigh it in the balances of thought, as Aben Ezra; or rather in the balances of the word, and see whether it agrees with that or not. The Septuagint version is, "make straight paths for thy feet"; to which the author of the epistle to the Hebrews seems to have respect, Heb 12:13;
and let all thy walls be established; so as to walk on steadily, constantly, uniformly, and not be easily moved out of the ways of religion and truth. Or, "let all thy ways be prepared", or "directed", or "disposed" {c}; according to the rule of the divine word. Some render it as a promise, "and all thy ways shall be established" {d}; when care is taken to look well into them; see 2Ch 20:20.
{c} wnky "dirigantur", Tigurine version, Mercerus; "recte apparentur aut disponantur", Vatablus. {d} "Stabilientur", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus; "constabilientur", Schultens.
Proverbs 4:27
Ver. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left,.... Either into the road of immorality and profaneness, or into that of error, superstition, and false worship; but attend to the way of holiness and truth, directed to in the word of God; see Isa 30:21; nor be moved out of it by threatenings and menaces, nor by flatteries and promises; neither be cast down with adversity, nor be lifted up with prosperity; but keep on in an even way, attending to that which is just and right; leaving all events with God, as knowing you are in the way of your duty, and in which he would have you walk;
remove, by foot from evil; from walking in evil ways and along with evil men, and from doing evil things; abstain from all appearance of evil, keep at a distance from it; the evil of sin brings on the evil of punishment. There are two verses added in the Septuagint, Arabic, and Vulgate Latin versions, which are not in the Hebrew text;
"for the ways which are on the right hand God knoweth; but those that are on the left are perverse. He will make thy paths right, and promote thy goings in peace.''
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible.
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers:
though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome.
Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly
men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true
wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get
wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take
more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in
Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing
needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How
poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their
wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ,
without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of
Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain
before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall
avoid being straitened or stumbling.
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers:
though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him.
Let us give heed to the sayings of
Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain
before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall
avoid being straitened or stumbling.
Sources: Matthew Henry; Gill's Exposition; Matthew Henry Concise
Commentary
Commentary