Bible Commentaries

Proverbs 3:1-35. The study of truth commended. God must be feared, honored, and trusted, and filial submission, under chastisement, exhibited. The excellence of wisdom urged and illustrated by its place in the divine counsels. Piety enforced by a contrast of the destiny of the righteous and the wicked.

law [and] commandments — all divine instructions (see on Psalm 119:1 and see on Psalm 119:4).

let thine heart keep — or sincerely observe (Proverbs 4:13; Proverbs 5:2).

life — often promised as blessings (Psalm 21:4; Psalm 91:16).

peace — includes prosperity (Psalm 125:5).

add — abound to thee.

mercy and truth — God‘s faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 20:28).

bind … write … heart — outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.

favour — grace, amiability (Proverbs 22:11; Psalm 45:2); united with this,

a good understanding — (Compare Margin), a discrimination, which secures success.

in the sight … man — such as God and man approve.

heart — This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Proverbs 22:19; Proverbs 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.

ways — (Psalm 1:1).

acknowledge — by seeking His wise aid (Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 37:5; Jeremiah 9:23, Jeremiah 9:24).

direct — literally, “make plain” (compare Hebrews 12:13).

(Compare Proverbs 27:2; Romans 12:16).

fear … evil — reverentially regarding His law.

It — This conduct.

health — (Compare Margin).

to thy navel — for all the organs of nourishment.

marrow — (Compare Margin).

bones — frame of body. True piety promotes bodily health.

(Compare Proverbs 11:25; Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 18:4; Isaiah 32:8; 2 Corinthians 9:13).

presses — or wine fats (Joel 2:24; Joel 3:13).

The true intent of afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:5, Hebrews 12:6).

he delighteth — or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.

findeth — literally, “reaches,” or “obtains by seeking.”

getteth — literally, “draws out,” as metals by digging.

The figure of Proverbs 3:13 carried out.

it — that is, wisdom.

merchandise of silver — acquisition by trading.

fine gold — dug gold, solid as a nugget.

rubies — gems, or pearls.

Wisdom personified as bringing the best blessings (compare Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8).

Her ways — such as she directs us to take.

Wisdom allegorized as

a tree of life — (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.

The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the divine example of its use to seek its possession.

sound wisdom — (compare Proverbs 2:7).

let … eyes — that is, these words of instruction.

assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.

Be not — or, “You shall not be.”

sudden fear — what causes it (Proverbs 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Psalm 46:3; Psalm 91:12; 1 Peter 3:14).

desolation — (Proverbs 1:27).

The reason; such as are objects of God‘s favor.

be thy confidence — literally, “in thy confidence,” in the source of thy strength (compare Nahum 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew).

Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare James 2:15, James 2:16).

Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.

oppressor — or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot (Psalm 37:1, Psalm 37:2, Psalm 37:35, Psalm 37:36).

Reasons for the warning.

froward — (Proverbs 2:15).

secret … righteous — in their communion (Amos 3:7).

curse … wicked — It abides with them, and will be manifested.

The retribution of sinners, as in Psalm 18:26.

inherit — as a portion.

shame — or disgrace, as opposed to honor.

promotion — (Compare Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so fools are signalized by disgrace.