Proverbs 28:13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS (BY DENYING OR EXTENUATING THEM, ) SHALL NOT PROSPER. 'To hide a sin with a lie is like a crust of leprosy drawn over an ulcer' (Jeremy Taylor). Many cover them by laying the blame on others (; ). Many plead, 'I am not the only one, or the first one who did it, and I shall not be the last.' Contrast . BUT WHOSO CONFESSETH AND FORSAKETH (THEM) (NOT RETURNING LIKE A DOG TO HIS VOMIT, ) shall ha...

Verse Proverbs 28:13. _HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS_] Here is a general _direction_ relative to conversion. 1. If the sinner do not _acknowledge_ his sins; if he _cover_ and _excuse_ them, and refuse to come to the light of God's word and Spirit, lest his deeds should be reproved, he _shall find no salvation_. God will never admit a _sinful,_ _unhumbled_ soul, into his kingdom. 2. But if he confess his sin, with a penitent and broken heart, and, by _forsaking_ every evil way, give this proof that he feels his own sore, and the plague of his heart, then he shall _have mercy_. Here is a doctrine of vital importance to the salvation of the soul, which the weakest may understand....

The conditions of freedom are confession and amendment, confession to God of sins against Him, to men of sins against them. The teaching of ethical wisdom on this point is identical with that of psalmist, prophet, apostles, and our Lord Himself....

EXPOSITION This chapter is still part of the Hezekiah collection, and not a new series by another author. It may be regarded as describing the various destinies of the powerful and the weak, the sinner and the righteous. PROVERBS 28:1 THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH. The unreasoning terror of the sinner arises partly from his uneasy conscience, which will not permit him to transgress without warning of consequences, and partly from the judgment of God, according to the threats denounced in Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37. A terrible picture of this instinctive fear is drawn in...

HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER,.... God may cover a man's sins, and it is an instance of his grace, and it is the glory of it to do it, but a man may not cover his own: it is right in one good man to cover the sins of another, reproving him secretly, and freely forgiving him; but it is wrong in a man to cover his own: not that any man is bound to accuse himself before a court of judicature, or ought to expose his sins to the public, which would be to the hurt of his credit, and to the scandal of religion; but whenever he is charged with sin, and reproved for it by his fellow Christian, be should not cover it, that is, he should own it; for not to own and acknowledge it is to cover it; he should not deny it, which is to cover it with a lie, and is adding sin to sin; nor should he justify it, as if he had done a right thing; nor extenuate or excuse it, or impute it to others t...

CHAPTER 28 WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED The wicked is a coward; the righteous man, because he trusteth in the Lord and knows the Lord is on his side, is as bold as a lion. It is the conscience which makes a coward of the wicked man. This chapter has many sharp contrasts and important warnings and exhortations. We point out a few. Those who forsake the law, turn their backs upon the revelation of God, refuse obedience to Him, praise the wicked, they make common cause with them. Those who keep the law, obey God's Word, are contenders for the faith Proverbs 28:4. Evil men are blind, but with seeking the Lord comes understanding, the blind eyes are opened Proverbs 28:5. A wise son is he who keepeth the law; such was Solomon till he plunged into apostasy and darkness...

SECOND DIVISION, PROVERBS 28 F. In general character this division resembles Section II., consisting chiefly of antithetic couplets. PROVERBS 28:2 B. The text is uncertain, and various renderings are possible. The translation state is very doubtful. If MT be retained, connect the word for state with the preceding, and translate by men of understanding who know what is right it is prolonged. LXX reads Through the sin of the ungodly disputes arise, but a prudent man quenches them, possibly the original text. Proverbs 28:3. A needy man: so MT, but the thought is not in keeping with the conception of the poor in Pr. or in the OT. We should probably read a wicked man who, etc. (LXX), or possibly a rich man who, etc. The simile seems to be that of a heavy unseasonable rain which flood

HE THAT COVERETH, &C. Illustrations: Adam (Genesis 3:12. See Job 31:33); Cain (Genesis 4:9); Saul (1 Samuel 15:19). SINS. transgressions. Hebrew. _pasha'._ App-44. CONFESSETH, &C. Illustrations: David (2 Samuel 12:13.Psalms 51:3; Psalms 51:3); Manasseh (2 Chronicl

DISCOURSE: 817 TRUE REPENTANCE RECOMMENDED Proverbs 28:13. _He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy_. THE subject of repentance offers nothing for the gratification of “itching ears.” But it must not on that account be overlooked; since, if less interesting than some other subjects on the score of novelty, it yields to none in point of importance. It is the first act whereby a sinner returns unto his God: and it is an act for which the most eminent saint has occasion from day to day; insomuch that in him it assumes rather the character of a habit than an act. In the more grown Christian, it is the warp, whilst every other grace is the woof: whether the colours interwoven with it be grave or gay, this pervades the whole piece, and is, as it were, the foundation of all the rest. For the advancing of this w

TEXT Proverbs 28:10-18 10. Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. 11. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13. He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. 14. Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16. The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousn