13 O the happiness of a man `who' hath found wisdom, And of a man `who' bringeth forth understanding.
and there hath been found in it a poor wise man, and he hath delivered the city by his wisdom, and men have not remembered that poor man! And I said, `Better `is' wisdom than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.' -- The words of the wise in quiet are heard, More than the cry of a ruler over fools. Better `is' wisdom than weapons of conflict, And one sinner destroyeth much good!
And king Solomon is greater than any of the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom, and all the earth is seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom that God hath put into his heart,
Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee. The first thing `is' wisdom -- get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her. She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely.
And now, ye sons, hearken to me, Yea, happy are they who keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and slight not. O the happiness of the man hearkening to me, To watch at my doors day by day, To watch at the door-posts of my entrance. For whoso is finding me, hath found life, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
And the queen of Sheba is hearing of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Jehovah, and cometh to try him with enigmas, and she cometh to Jerusalem, with a very great company, camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stone, and she cometh unto Solomon, and speaketh unto him all that hath been with her heart. And Solomon declareth to her all her matters -- there hath not been a thing hid from the king that he hath not declared to her. And the queen of Sheba seeth all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he built, and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his ministers, and their clothing, and his butlers, and his burnt-offering that he causeth to ascend in the house of Jehovah, and there hath not been in her any more spirit. And she saith unto the king, `True hath been the word that I heard in my land, concerning thy matters and thy wisdom; and I gave no credence to the words till that I have come, and my eyes see, and lo, it was not declared to me -- the half; thou hast added wisdom and goodness unto the report that I heard. O the happiness of thy men, O the happiness of thy servants -- these -- who are standing before thee continually, who are hearing thy wisdom! Jehovah thy God is blessed who delighted in thee, to put thee on the throne of Israel; in Jehovah's loving Israel to the age He doth set thee for king, to do judgment and righteousness.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 3
Commentary on Proverbs 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
Pr 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.
1. law [and] commandments—all divine instructions (see on Ps 119:1 and Ps 119:4).
let thine heart keep—or sincerely observe (Pr 4:13; 5:2).
2. length … life—often promised as blessings (Ps 21:4; 91:16).
peace—includes prosperity (Ps 125:5).
add—abound to thee.
3. mercy and truth—God's faithfulness to His promises is often expressed by these terms (Ps 25:10; 57:3). As attributes of men, they express integrity in a wide sense (Pr 16:6; 20:28).
bind … write … heart—outwardly adorn and inwardly govern motives.
4. favour—grace, amiability (Pr 22:11; Ps 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.
5. Trust … heart—This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Pr 22:19; 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.
6. ways—(Ps 1:1).
acknowledge—by seeking His wise aid (Pr 16:3; Ps 37:5; Jer 9:23, 24).
direct—literally, "make plain" (compare Heb 12:13).
7. (Compare Pr 27:2; Ro 12:16).
fear … evil—reverentially regarding His law.
8. 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.
9, 10. (Compare Pr 11:25; Ex 23:19; De 18:4; Isa 32:8; 2Co 9:13).
10. presses—or wine fats (Joe 2:24; 3:13).
11, 12. The true intent of afflictions considered; they do not contradict the assertion of the blessed state of the pious (Job 5:17; Heb 12:5, 6).
12. he delighteth—or receiveth as denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which produced chastisement.
13. findeth—literally, "reaches," or "obtains by seeking."
getteth—literally, "draws out," as metals by digging.
14, 15. The figure of Pr 3:13 carried out.
it—that is, wisdom.
merchandise of silver—acquisition by trading.
fine gold—dug gold, solid as a nugget.
15. rubies—gems, or pearls.
16, 17. Wisdom personified as bringing the best blessings (compare Mt 6:33; 1Ti 4:8).
17. Her ways—such as she directs us to take.
18. Wisdom allegorized as
a tree of life—(Ge 2:9; 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.
19, 20. 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.
21. sound wisdom—(compare Pr 2:7).
let … eyes—that is, these words of instruction.
22-24. assign reasons in their value for happiness and ornament, guidance and support in dangers, both when waking and sleeping.
25. Be not—or, "You shall not be."
sudden fear—what causes it (Pr 1:27), any unlooked-for evil (Ps 46:3; 91:12; 1Pe 3:14).
desolation—(Pr 1:27).
26. The reason; such as are objects of God's favor.
be thy confidence—literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare Na 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew).
27, 28. Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare Jas 2:15, 16).
29, 30. Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.
31. oppressor—or man of mischief. The destiny of successful evildoers warns against desiring their lot (Ps 37:1, 2, 35, 36).
32-35. Reasons for the warning.
froward—(Pr 2:15).
secret … righteous—in their communion (Am 3:7).
33. curse … wicked—It abides with them, and will be manifested.
34. The retribution of sinners, as in Ps 18:26.
35. 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.