Bible Commentaries

Of wickedness - Such as are got by any sort of wicked practices. Death - Often from temporal, and always from eternal death.

Gathereth - The fruits of his field. In summer - In harvest. He that improved the opportunities of doing good to himself and others.

Violence - Their own violence or injustice. This may be an allusion to the ancient custom of covering the mouths and faces of condemned malefactors.

Who receive - Is ready to hear and obey the precepts of God and men. Fall - Into mischief.

Surely - Or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies; quietly resting upon God's favour and gracious providence for his protections. Known - His wickedness shall be publickly discovered.

Winketh - That secretly designs mischief against others, as this phrase is used, Psalm 35:19 .

Wisdom - This wisdom shews itself in his speech. A rod - Rebukes from God and men.

Lay up - In their minds, to be brought forth upon fit occasions. Knowledge - Whereby they may be enabled to speak both what, and when it is seasonable. But - Fools are more forward to lay out than to lay up, and for want of knowledge speak much and foolishly, whereby they frequently bring destruction upon themselves.

Wealth - It often redeems him from dangers and calamities. Poverty - Is the cause of their ruin.

The labour - The fruit of his labour, to the preservation of this life, and obtaining eternal life. Fruit - The fruit of all their labour tends to sin, and serves only for fuel to mens pride and luxury.

Lying lips - With flattering words. He here condemns two opposite vices, secret hatred, and manifest slander.

Is - Of great worth and use. Heart - And consequently the tongue.

Feed - By their wise discourses and counsels. Die - They have not wisdom to preserve themselves, much less to feed others.

So - Unserviceable and vexatious.

Gladness - Shall be accomplished, and turned into enjoyment.

The way - The way of God's precepts. Strength - Gives strength, support, and protection.

Never be removed - They shall live happily here, and eternally in heaven. The earth - They shall not have so much as a quiet abode upon earth; much less shall they have any possession in heaven.

The lips - Knowledge is here ascribed to the lips, as it is to the hands, Psalm 78:72 , because they are conducted by knowledge and wisdom. Acceptable - What is truly worthy of acceptation.