Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:2

2. All the ways of a man &c.] Every man is apt to think the best of his own actions, and to justify himself in his own courses; but the Lord judgeth and examineth the inward disposition, the soul and spirit of a man. Bp. Hall.

Proverbs 16:3

3. Commit thy works &c.] When thou undertakest any thing, implore the Divine blessing; and, committing the success of it to God’s providence, leave it to Him to give what issue to it He pleases; which is the surest way to have thy honest designs accomplished. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 16:4

4. The Lord hath made &c.] This text may be ren- M Before CHRIST about 1000. & 145. 18. correction. s Or, obeyeth. t Heb. possesseth an heart. 12. s Ver. 9. chap. 19. 21. & 20. 24. Jer. 10. 23. s Or, disposings. b Chap. 21. 2. 55. 22. Matt. 6. 25. Luke 12. 22. l Ps. 5. 7. t Heb. Roll. Moral virtues, and their contrary vices. Before CHRIST about 1000. maketh wise. o Chap. 14. 12. soul of him that laboureth. boueth unto him. A man of Beliat. p Chap. 6. 14. 19. & 15. 18. & 26. 21. & 29. 22. tendeth forth. of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:26

26. He that laboureth &c.] A man needs no other inducement to labour than his own profit and necessity; for it is by his labour that he must sustain himself and uphold nature, which craveth it of him. Bp. Hall.

Proverbs 16:27

27. — diggeth up evil.] This expression signifies labouring after evil with toil and application, searching for it as a person searcheth for a hidden treasure. “In his lips there is as a burning fire;” he carries on his tongue a burning fire, which spreads on every side destruction and devastation. Calmet.

Proverbs 16:30

30. He shutteth his eyes.] Expressing the profound study with which he contrives the ruin of others. Bp. Patrick.

Proverbs 16:32

32. — than he that taketh a city.] It is a greater thing, in case of great provocation, to calm a man’s own spirit, than to storm and take a strong city. Abp. Tillotson.

Proverbs 16:33

33. The lot is cast &c.] The lots are thrown at random, but the overruling hand of God disposeth of them, how they shall light. Bp. Hall.

Hence every good man may draw this comfortable reflection, that he is not left to the caprice or hazard of a blind chance; but that his least, as well as greatest, concerns, are under the constant and infallible direction

of Infinite wisdom, which maketh “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Wogan.

Chap. XVII. ver. 1. — a dry morsel.] A morsel of bread, without butter or oil, which the Hebrews were wont to use. Bp. Patrick.

— an house full of sacrifices.] When sacrifices were offered in the temple, it was usual for the person to have a feast at home with his friends on the remains of the animals slain. Thus a house full of sacrifices means a house full of good provision. See Prov. vn. 14. Calmet.