Verse 1
soft — tender or gentle.
turneth … wrath — from any one.
stir up — as a smoldering fire is excited.
Verse 2
aright — commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out — utters abundantly (Proverbs 12:23), and so disgusts others.
Verse 3
beholding — watching (compare Proverbs 5:21; Psalm 66:7).
Verse 4
A wholesome tongue — (Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life — (Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 11:30).
perverseness therein — cross, ill-natured language.
breach … spirit — (compare Isaiah 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
Verse 5
(Compare Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 13:1-18).
is prudent — acts discreetly.
Verse 6
treasure — implying utility.
trouble — vexation and affliction.
Verse 7
(Compare Proverbs 10:20, Proverbs 10:21).
heart … not so — not right, or vain.
Verse 8-9
The sacrifice [and] prayer — are acts of worship.
way … followeth … righteousness — denote conduct. God‘s regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psalm 50:17; Isaiah 1:11.
Verse 10
(Compare Proverbs 10:17).
the way — that in which God would have him to go (Proverbs 2:13; Psalm 119:1).
Verse 11
Hell — (Psalm 16:10).
destruction — or, “Abaddon,” the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men‘s hearts.
Verse 12
(Compare Proverbs 9:8).
go unto the wise — to be instructed.
Verse 13
maketh … countenance — or, “benefits the countenance.”
spirit is broken — and so the countenance is sad.
Verse 14
(Compare Proverbs 10:21, Proverbs 10:22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Proverbs 9:9).
Verse 15
The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil — sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
Verse 16
trouble — agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Timothy 6:6).
Verse 17
dinner — or, “allowance” (2 Kings 25:30).
of herbs — and that the plainest.
and hatred — (compare Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 10:18).
Verse 18
(Compare Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 16:32).
Verse 19
The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open] way — literally, “a highway,” by diligence (1 Samuel 10:7; Psalm 1:3).
Verse 20
(Compare Proverbs 10:1).
Verse 21
walketh uprightly — and so finds his joy (Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 10:23).
Verse 22
Without counsel — or, “deliberation,” implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
Verse 23
Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.
Verse 24
(Compare Colossians 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
Verse 25
The most desolate who have God‘s aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Proverbs 2:22; Proverbs 12:7).
border — or, “boundary for possessions” (Psalm 78:54).
Verse 26
are pleasant words — that is, pleasing to God (Proverbs 8:8, Proverbs 8:9).
Verse 27
(Compare Proverbs 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts — or, “bribes” (Exodus 23:8; Psalm 15:5), and is not avaricious.
Verse 28
(Compare Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
Verse 29
wicked — in His love and favor (Psalm 22:11; Psalm 119:155).
Verse 30
light of the eyes — (Proverbs 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so
good report — or, “doctrine” (Isaiah 28:9; Isaiah 53:1),
maketh … fat — or, “gives prosperity” (Proverbs 3:13-17; Proverbs 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
Verse 31-32
(Compare Proverbs 10:17).
reproof of life — which leads to life.
abideth … wise — is numbered among them.
Verse 32
refuseth — or, “neglects,” “passes by” (Proverbs 1:25; Proverbs 4:15).
despiseth … soul — so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
Verse 33
wisdom — Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before … humility — (compare Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 1:11); opposite (compare Proverbs 16:18).