Proverbs 16:19

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. BETTER IT IS TO BE OF AN HUMBLE SPIRIT WITH THE LOWLY ( ; ), THAN TO DIVIDE THE SPOIL WITH THE PROUD. Such a one is happier in having the favour of God and man, immunity from perils, and tranquility of conscience. Whereas the proud, who seek their own aggrandizement by oppressing their fellow-men, lose the favour of these as well as of God, are in danger of destruction at any moment, and have a guilty conscience whenever they dare to reflect....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 16:1 These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. PROVERBS 16:1 The Authorized Version makes one sentence of this verse without any contrast or antithesis. This is plainly wrong, there being intended a contrast between the thought of the heart and the well ordered speech. It is better translated, _The plans of the heart are man_'_s_:_ but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. _Men make plans, arrange speeches, muster arguments, in the mind; but to put these into proper, persuasive words is a gift of God. "Our sufficiency is of God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). In the case of

BETTER [IT IS TO BE] OF AN HUMBLE SPIRIT WITH THE LOWLY,.... The followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, whose spirits are humbled under a sense of sin; have mean thoughts of themselves and their own righteousness, and submit to the righteousness of the Son of God, and wholly trust in him for salvation; and ascribe all they have and are to the free grace of God; humble themselves under the mighty hand of God; are resigned to his will, and patiently bear all afflictions without murmuring, and think better of others than themselves: these are not in so much danger of falling as the proud and haughty, and are more grateful to men, and acceptable to God; with these he vouchsafes to dwell; to these he gives more grace, and they shall inherit the earth. Wherefore it is better to be of such a spirit, and be ranked among and keep company with the meek and lowly, THAN TO DIVIDE THE SPOIL WITH THE...

CHAPTER 16 IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--“Man proposes--God disposes.” Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed (literal: rolled upon) unto the LORD, then establishment and blessing will follow. It is strange that these three verses were omitted in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. The LORD hath made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil Proverbs 16:4. Much error has been taught in connection with this verse. Some have taught that God made some wicked. It is not said

PROVERBS 16. The special feature is a group of aphorisms (Proverbs 16:10) relating to kings. The sentiments seem rather to reflect the picture of the ideal king than to indicate any particular period. The metaphors employed and the character depicted suggest a parallel with the ideal king of Psalms 72. PROVERBS 16:4. The lit. rendering of Proverbs 16:4 a is Yahweh has made every work for its answer_ i.e._ the nexus of cause and effect seen in the moral government of the world is His work, a kind of prearranged harmony. The supreme instance is the case of the wicked, their answer is the day of evil. We have an assertion of the righteousness of Yahweh's government rather than of their predestinati

LOWLY. wretched. Hebrew. _'anah._ See note on Proverbs 6:11....

_the lowly_ Rather, POOR, R.V. Better humble and poor than proud and rich....

TEXT Proverbs 16:12-22 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness. 13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right. 14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it. 15. In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver. 17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18. Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19. Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divid

16:19 meek, (a-12) Or 'afflicted,' as ch. 14.21....

1-9. God's control of human life....