_A.M. 3004. B.C. 1000._ Solomon, in this chapter, with great variety of expressions, and a powerful flood of divine eloquence, inculcates the same things upon us which he had expressed in the foregoing Chapter s. Here is, (1,) _ An exhortation to the study of wisdom, enforced by various arguments,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear, &c., the instruction of a father_ Of me, who have paternal authority over you, and great affection for you. _For I give you, good doctrine_ Not vain or foolish, much less false or pernicious counsels, but such as are true and profitable. _Forsake ye not my law_ God's law or commands delivered... [ Continue Reading ]
_He taught me also, and said unto me_ The following verses, at least as far as the tenth, are represented as containing the words of David, Solomon's father, that the name of so great a king, and so holy a prophet, might add the more authority and efficacy to his counsels. _Keep my commandments and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings_ Diligently attend to and imbibe my instructions, as the earth drinks in the rain that drops upon it. _I have taught thee in the way of wisdom_ Either, 1st, The way which procureth wisdom; or, 2d, Which wisdom directs thee to walk in. _Thy steps shall not be s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Enter not into the path of the wicked_ Avoid their practices and company; _and go not in the way of evil men_ Do not proceed further therein. If thou hast unadvisedly entered into it, do not persist in it, but get thee speedily out of it. _Avoid it, pass not by it_ Keep at a great distance from it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Keep thy heart with all diligence_ The Hebrew is, _Above all keeping, keep thy heart_, that is, thy mind and thoughts, thy will and affections, which are the more immediate cause of men's actions. _Out of it are the issues of life_ The life or death of the soul proceeds from the heart: an upright,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Put away a froward mouth_ All sorts of sinful words, which proceed from, and discover an evil heart. _Let thine eyes look right on_ Let thine intention be pure: direct all thine actions to a right end, namely, the glory of God in thy eternal salvation, and keep thy mind fixed upon that way which le... [ Continue Reading ]