The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Ver. 1. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord.] Be kings never so absolute and unaccountable to any, yet are they ruled and overruled by him "that is higher than the highest,." Ecc 5:... [ Continue Reading ]
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. Ver. 2. _Every way of a man is right in his own eyes._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 16:2 _"_ Such is our sinful self-love, that, Suffenus-like, we easily admire that little _nothing_ of any good that is in us; we so clasp an... [ Continue Reading ]
To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Ver. 3. _Is more acceptable to the Lord._] _Qui non vult ex rapina holocaustum,_ as heathens could see and say by the light of nature. The Jews thought to expiate their miscarriages toward men, and to set off with God by th... [ Continue Reading ]
An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin. Ver. 4. _An high look and proud heart._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 6:17 _"_ And the ploughing of the wicked is sin.] As they plot and plough mischief - being the devil's hinds and drudges - so all their actions, natural, moral,... [ Continue Reading ]
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want. Ver. 5. _The thoughts of the diligent tend only, &c._] The word rendered "diligent" signifies one that is sedulous and solicitous in his business; that weighs circumstances and waits opportunit... [ Continue Reading ]
_The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death._ Ver. 6. _The getting of treasures by a lying tongue._] As do seducers, sycophants, flatterers, corrupt judges, that say with shame, "Give ye"; mercenary pleaders, that sell both their tongues and s... [ Continue Reading ]
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. Ver. 7. _The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them._] Heb., Shall saw them: that is, shall bring upon them exquisite and extreme torments, such as the prophet Isaiah, and those martyrs Heb 11:37 were put unto unjus... [ Continue Reading ]
The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right. Ver. 8. _The way of man is froward and strange._] And therefore strange, because froward, various, and voluble, so that you know not where to have him, be is so unconstant, nor what to make of him, he is so uncerta... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 21:9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Ver. 9. _It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top._] Their house tops were made flat by order of the law. The sense is, then, A man had better abide abroad, _sub dio,_ under the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes._ Ver. 10. _The soul of the wicked desireth evil._] Sinful self-love, the chokeweed of all true love, prompteth the wicked man to envy the good, and wish the evil of all but himself. Hard hearted he is and inhuman, u... [ Continue Reading ]
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. Ver. 11. _When the scorner is punished, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 19:25 _"_ And when the wise is instructed.] Or, When he accurately considers the wise, and observes both their integrit... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness. Ver. 12. _The righteous man wisely considereth, &c._] He foreseeth its fearful fall, and is not offended at their present prosperity; for God, he knows, will shortly overturn it... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Ver. 13. _Whoso stoppeth his ear at the cry, &c._] This was fulfilled in Pharaoh; Haman; the rich glutton; Hatto, archbishop of Mentz; Mauricius, the emperor, and many others, who might have better pr... [ Continue Reading ]
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. Ver. 14. _A gift in secret pacifieth anger._] That is, say some, Alms rightly performed Mat 6:1 pacifieth God's displeasure - compare Daniel 4:27; and the Jews at this day write this sentence of Solomon (in an abbreviation) u... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 21:15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity. Ver. 15. _It is joy to the just to do judgment._] They love it dearly, and therefore cannot but rejoice in it exceedingly: "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil," Psa 119:... [ Continue Reading ]
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. Ver. 16. _The man that wandereth out of the way._] Let him wander while he will that deviateth from the truth according to godliness - he cannot possibly wander so far as to miss hell. God hath swor... [ Continue Reading ]
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Ver. 17. _He that loveth pleasure, &c._] Luxury is attended by beggary. Pleasure may be had, but not loved. Isaac loved venison a little better haply than he should; Esau loved hunting, hence he grew profa... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright._ Ver. 18. _The wicked shall be a ransom._] Heb., _Copher,_ a cover, or an expiation; as Achan was for Israel, and as those condemned persons among the heathens, that in time of pestilence or contagious infectio... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 21:19 [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Ver. 19. _It is better to dwell in the wilderness._] Among ravenous beasts and venomous serpents, in greatest danger, and want of all necessary accommodation. This is so much worse than the houseto... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 21:20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Ver. 20. _There is a treasure to be desired._] He had said before, He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Here he shows, that though these things may not be loved or lavis... [ Continue Reading ]
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Ver. 21. _He that followeth after righteousness._] Though, for such a measure of it as he desires, he cannot overtake or compass it. If he be but doing at it, _Si faciat praecepta, etiamsi non perficiat,_ if he... [ Continue Reading ]
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Ver. 22. _A wise man scaleth the city of the miyhty._] Wisdom is that το παγχρεστον, which is profitable for all things; of singular and sovereign use, as in domestic and politic, so in military af... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Ver. 23. _Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue._] As he that keepeth his doors fast locked, preserveth himself from danger; _See Trapp on "_ Pro 13:3 _"_ The large and loose use of the tongue brings a man oft to divers straits... [ Continue Reading ]
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. Ver. 24. _Proud and haughty scorner is his name._] An ill name he gets him, and lies under the common reproach of a proud peevish person. He seeks renown by his rage and revenge, as Lamech that vaunted of his valour this way to... [ Continue Reading ]
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. Ver. 25. _The desire of the slothful killeth him._] He only wisheth well to himself; but refusing to labour, "pineth away in his iniquity." Lev 26:39 Neither grace nor wealth is had with wishing; _Nemo casu fit sapiens,_ saith... [ Continue Reading ]
_He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not._ Ver. 26. _He coveteth greedily all day long._] But these greedy constant coverings come to nothing he makes nothing of them. Meteors have matter enough in the vapours themselves to carry them above the earth, but not... [ Continue Reading ]
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind? Ver. 27. _The sacrifice of the wicked, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 15:8 _"_ How much more when he bringeth it, &c.] As Balak and Balaam did. Num 23:1-2 As those that present _ex rapine holocaustum... [ Continue Reading ]
_A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly._ Ver. 28. _A false witness shall perish._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 19:5 _"_ The Scythians had a law that if any man did _duo peccata contorquere,_ bind two sins together, a lie and an oath, he was to lose his head, because th... [ Continue Reading ]
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way. Ver. 29. _A wicked man hardeneth his face._] _Procaciter obfirmat vultum suum,_ so the Vulgate renders it. The false witness Pro 21:28 impudently defends, or at least extenuates and excuses his falsities. _Frontem perf... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 21:30 [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. Ver. 30. _There is no wisdom against the Lord._] That is, they are all to no purpose. If God deny concourse, and influence, the arm of human power and policy, as Jeroboam's, shrinks up presently. Psalms 2:1,3 _; Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD. Ver. 31. _The horse is prepared against the day, &c._] A very serviceable creature, and in battle full of terror; so swift in service that the Persians dedicated him to their god, the sun, ασπερ το ταλιστον τω ταχυτατω,... [ Continue Reading ]