Proverbs 28:14

Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. HAPPY IS THE MAN THAT FEARETH ALWAY - in prosperity as well as adversity (). "Feareth" to offend God; not slavish, but filial fear; not linked with anxiety, doubt, or distrust as to the reality of grace received (). Reverential caution as to sin, joined with love to God, opposed to the rashness and hardening of the heart whereby sinners make light of sin, and trust in their own righteousness (). BUT HE THAT HARDENETH HIS HEART (against the Lord's precepts, threats, and promises, and the inward motions of the Spirit, under a false notion as to the patience and mercy of God) "shall fall into m...

Verse Proverbs 28:14. _HAPPY_ IS _THE MAN THAT FEARETH ALWAY_] That ever carries about with him that reverential and filial fear of God, which will lead him to avoid sin, and labour to do that which is lawful and right in the sight of God his Saviour....

The “fear” here is not so much reverential awe, as anxious, or “nervous” sensitiveness of conscience. To most men this temperament seems that of the self-tormentor. To him who looks deeper it is a condition of blessedness, and the callousness which is opposed to it ends in misery....

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...

HAPPY [IS] THE MAN THAT FEARETH ALWAY,.... Not men, but the Lord; there is a fear and reverence due to men, according to the stations in which they are; but a slavish fear of man, and which deters from the worship of God and obedience to him, is criminal, and brings a snare; and a man, under the influence of it, cannot be happy: nor is a servile fear of God intended, a fear of wrath and damnation, or a distrust of his grace, a continual calling in question his love, and an awful apprehension of his displeasure and vengeance; for in such fear is torment, and with it a man can never be happy; but it is a reverence and godly fear, a filial one, a fear of God and his goodness, which he puts into the hearts of his people; a fear, indeed, of offending him, of sinning against him, by which a man departs from evil, and forsakes it, as well as confesses it; but is what arises from a sense of his...

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

HAPPY. See note on Proverbs 3:13. THAT FEARETH ALWAY, &C. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:9; Genesis 42:18); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:15). HE THAT HARDENETH, &C. Illustrations: Jews (Jeremiah 8:12); Gentiles (Romans 2:3); Herod (Matthew 14:1)....

_feareth_ i.e. to do wrong, with a wise and godly caution. ὂς καταπτήσσει πάντα διʼ εὐλάβειαν, LXX. Comp. the N.T. use of εὐλάβεια and its cognates, Hebrews 5:7; Hebrews 11:7. _mischief_ "Or, _calamity_," R.V. marg....

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