Proverbs 19

Poor and rich, verse 1,4,7,22. Indiscretion, 2. Folly scorning, 1,3,10,29, Friends, 4. False witnesses, lying lips, 5,9,22,28. Princes and gifts, 6. Understanding and wisdom, 8.11,20,25. A servants bearing rule, 10. Meekness, 11. A kings favour, and displeasure, 12. A foolish son, 13,26. A brawling and prudent wife, 13,14. Slothfulness, 15,24. Godliness and wickedness, 16. Liberality to the poor, 17. Discipline, 18,20,25,27. Wrath, 19. The counsel of God, 21. Vain boasting of kindness, 22. Fear of the Lord, 23.

1. The poor walking in his uprightness, [That is, living in unfeigned intergrity. See above chapter 2.on verse 7.] is better then the perverse in lips, [see above chapter 2.on verse 12.] and that is a fool. [see above chap.1.on verse 22.]

2. Also the soul [That is, the desire, and affection, to do a thing , or to leave it undone. See Psalm 27.on verse 12. The Prophet reproveth two things. 1. To be prone and enclined to a thing, of which a man hath no knowledge or understanding. 2. If a man have understanding of it, yet to set upon, and to peruse it rashly, and unadvisedly] without knowledge, [that is, that understandeth not, what is should do, or leave undone, to please God, and to walk circumspectly and profitably towards men] is not good: [that is, very bad, and hurtful. Compare above chapter 17.26. and the annot.] and he that is hasty with (his) feet, [to wit, unto evil. Or understand it thus: he that runneth on hastily, with an unadvised mind, and with posting head-long affections, without first taking counsel, or being well-advised upon the matter he goeth about. See above chap.1.on verse 15.] sinneth.

3. The foolishness of man will pervert his way: [That is, will disappoint, confound, and destroy all his purposes, resolutions, affairs, and practises] and his heart will fret against the LORD. [that is, will murmur, and vex it self with a conceit, as if the blame or fault were in God, that all his intentions and actions are lost, and come to nothing.]

4. Wealth maketh many friends: [So above chapter 14.20.] but the poor is separated from his friend. [though he have but one friend, yet even of him he is often left and forsaken. See the same place below verse 7.]

5. A false witness [Hebr. A witness of falsehoods] shall not be guiltless: [that is, not be unpunished. See 1 Kings 2.on verse 9. Compare Deut.19.19. and bel.chap.21.28.] and he that bloweth lies, [So above ch.6.19. See the annot.. there] shall not escape.

6. Many entreat the face [That is, the person. See of the Hebrew word taken in the same sense, Job 11:19. and the annot.] of the Prince; and every one is a friend to him, that giveth gifts. [Or, of the liberal man. See of the Hebrew word Nadib, Job 12.on verse 21. Hebrew to the man, or, of the man of gifts; that is, that is prone to give, and to communicate liberally.]

7. All the brethren [That is, that are of his kindred, though not affected to him with sincere and unfeigned love] of the poor [that is, of him that is improverished and decreased in wealth] do hate him: [that is, forsake him, even as if they hated him: or they love him less now, then they did before he was grown poor. See Genesis 20.on verse 31. Compare above chapter 14.20. and here verse 4.] how much more do his friends [that is, his acquaintance, and companions, though but in shew: for what an unfeigned friend is, see above chapter 17.17. and 18.24.] go far from him? He [to wit, the poor man] runneth after them [to wit, after his brethren, and friends] (with) words, [to wit, whereby he calleth unto them for help] which are not. [to wit, of any force or value; forasmuch as they are not accepted; but despised, and rejected. Or, but they, to wit, his brethren, and friends, are not the same; to wit, that they pretended themselves to be, before the improverished man by reason of his poverty ran after them. Oth. He pursueth words, which are not. That is, he relieth on promises, which they made unto him before he became poor, which are of no value.]

8. He that getteth understanding, [That is, he that endeavoureth to get understanding. Hebr. The heart; which word is often taken in Scripture for wisdom, and understanding. See Job 9.on verse 4.] loveth his (own) soul; he heedeth understanding, [See above ch.1.on ver.3.] to find good. [see ab.ch.16.on ver.20.]

9. A false witness [Hebr. A witness of falsehoods, [So above verse 5. See there the annot.] shall not be guiltless: and he that bloweth lies shall perish.

10. Pleasure becometh not a fool: [The reason is, because he growth polisher thereby; that is, more wanton, and more wilful] how much less a servant to have rule over Princes? [so below ch.30.22.]

11. Understanding of a man differed his anger: [Hebr. Lengtheneth, or, prolongeth: that is, delayeth his anger, putteth it off, restraineth, or curbeth it. Oth. It is a mans discretion to defer his anger: The same phrase is also used, Isa.48.9.] and (it) is his ornament, [to wit, a mans ornament] to pass by the transgression. [that is, to pass by the wrong that is done to him, by forgetting, and forgiving it, so far as may stand with the glory of God, and with the good of man.]

12. The Kings wrath is as the roaring of a young lion: [Called by the Hebrews chepir, which is very fierce, and cruel, being older and bigger then a lions whelp, which they call gur. See Ezek.19.2. Compare above chap.16.14. and below chapter 20.2.] but his delight [that is, his favour and good will, which he beareth to a man] is as dew upon the herb. [whereby the herb (or grass) is moistened, refreshed, and fed.]

13. A foolish son is his fathers great misery: [The Hebrew word is used in the plural number, to express the greatness or abundance of misery, and grief. Comp. Above chapter 10.1. and 15.20. and 17.25.] and the contentions of a woman [meaning a wife, who with her scolding and brawling may occasion much sadness, trouble and hurt in the whole family, and set it out of order] are (as) a continual dropping. [to wit, which rotteth the house, hurteth the household-stuff, annoyeth those of the household ort family, yea in the end driveth them also out of the house. Comp.bel.ch.27.15.]

14. House and riches are inheritance of the fathers: [that is, are inherited by children from their parents] but an understanding wife is from the LORD. [to wit, as a peculiar and principal gift, which is not given to every one, neither cometh it by inheritance, or succession. See above chapter 18.22.]

15. Slothness causeth (a man) to fall into deep sleep: [Slothfulness begetteth idleness: causeth sleepiness, whence issueth unhealthiness, languishing of the members, and dullness of the spirit; wherewith poverty is also wont to follow. See ab.ch.6.9,10,11. And bel.ch.20.13.] and a deceitful soul [meaning a man that will not work, and therefore seeketh to get a livelihood by evil and wicked practises. Comp.ab.ch.10.4.] shall suffer hunger.

16. He that keepeth the commandment [That is, the commandments; to wit, the commandments of God; and especially those which he enjoineth and commandeth in the Moral law. See Gen.26.on verse 5.] keepeth his (own) soul: [Comp.ab.ch.3.21, 22.] he that despiseth his ways, [that is, taketh no heed to his life and conversation, or to his intentions, purposes, and actions, so as to order and form them all according to the Word of God] shall die.

17. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the LORD: and he [Namely, the Lord] will recompense his benefits unto him.

18. Correct thy son, [To wit, with words and blows. See of the Hebrew word above chap.9.on verse 7.] while there is yet hope: [to wit, that he may be made better by instruction, and by chastening. Comp.ab.ch.13.24. and bel.ch.23.13.] but lift not up thy soul, to kill him. [to wit, through want of punishment, or too much beating, or other severity. That is, break not out into anger, with an evil desire, to &c. The lifting up of the soul signifieth indeed sometimes a good and lawful motion or moving of the mind, united and conjoined with an eager desire, and earnest longing, as Deut.24.15. Psalms 25:1. Jer.44.14. but it signifieth also desire, and moving to that which is evil, as here, and Psalms 24:4. Hos.4.6. Oth. And let not thine heart pardon (him) to his destruction, or, lift not up thy soul for his roaring; that is, care not for it.]

19. He that is great in wrath, [To wit, the son, that is very witful, and forward, or who because of the puniment roareth mighty, and maketh a loud noise] shall suffer punishment. [that is, ought not to escape punishment, yea even for the immoderate noise and great ado that he maketh] for if thou deliver (him), [to wit, from the punishment which he hath deserved] then thou must yet go on. [to wit, in punishing of him; because he being freed from chastening, will grow worse, and be the cause of much evil and mischief. Or, he shall pay a fine: for if thou ease him of it, that is, pay the fine for him, thou must do it more. Some take these words to be meant in general of all wrathful men, or of all men that are exceedingly bent and prone to wrath.]

20. Hear counsel, [To wit, good and wise counsel] and receive discipline, [that is, true instruction by words, or, also chastening by blows. See of the Hebrew word, above chapter 7.on verse 22. And compare above chapter 9.on verse 7.] that thou mayest be wise in thy last. [See of this word, Psalm 37.on verse 37.]

21. In the heart of man [The Hebr. Word rendered here man, signifieth properly the male sex, but it comprehendeth the female also, to wit, the woman as well as the man. See Job 12.on verse 10.] are many thoughts. [to wit, which never issue out of the heart into act, yea neither into words; as this sense may be gathered from the opposition of the following clause of this verse] but the counsel of the LORD [that is, that which God hath determined; so Ps.33.11. Isa.25.1. Acts.2.3.] that shall stand. [comp.Job.23.13. Ps.33.11. and 115.3. Isa.46.10.]

22. The wish of a man is his kindness: [To wit, to be rich, that he might do good to the needy. The wish (or desire) of a man; to wit, that fain would be rich , that he might (as he faith) do every man good, but yet notwithstanding when he is grown rich, doth it not. Oth. Let the wish (or desire) of man be his kindness, or bounty] but the poor (man) [that is, he that hath nothing to help others withal, neither maketh a fair outward shew by vain and empty promises] is better then a lying man. [to wit, who can, and promiseth to shew kindness and liberality, but indeed and in truth doth it not.]

23. The fear of the LORD is unto life; [That is, is profitable both for temporal, and eternal life, 1 Timothy 4:8.] for men shall [to wit, when they have the true fear of God] being satisfied [to wit, with the benefits and blessings of God] overnight; [that is, enjoy good rest. Compare Psalms 25:13. Of the contrary, see Psalms 59:15,16.] they shall not be visited [namely, to their destruction. Of the word visiting, see Gen.ch.21.on verse 1.] with evil. [to wit, the evil of punishment.]

24. A sluggard hideth (his) hand in (his) bosome: [That is, he will not lay hand on any work: Oth. In the dish, or platter; to wit, make meat, to food out of it. The meaning is, that he is so idle and lazy, that he will hardly take pains to eat. It is an hyperbole, or excessive manner of speaking. Comp.bel.ch.26.15.] and he will not bring it to his mouth again.]

25. Smite the scorner, [To wit, to punish him for his scorning. Of the word scorner, see Psalm 1.on verse 1.] then will the simple [this word is here taken in a good sense, for the ignorant, and sincere, that are docible, and fit, or desirous to be taught, and instructed. See above chap.1.on verse 4.] become prudent: and reprove a man of understanding; [to wit, with words, so Gen.ch.21.verse 25. Job 15:3. ab. Ch.9.8.] he will apprehend knowledge. [comp.bel.ch.21.11.]

26. Whoso wasteth (his) father, [That is, maketh him bare and naked. See of the Hebrew word also, Judg.5.on verse 27.] or chaseth away (his) mother; [to wit, his own father, or his own mother] is a son that maketh ashamed, [see above chapter 10.on verse 5. Oth. He that wasteth (his) father, chaseth away (his) mother, he is a son, etc.] offereth disgrace.

27. Cease, my son, [See above chapter 1.on verse 8.] hearing the discipline, to erre from the words [Oth. Cease, my son, from hearing the instruction, (tending) to the erring from, etc. To wit, evil instruction, evil discipline. See above chapter 7.22.and 16.22. and annot.] of knowledge. [to wit, which engender knowledge.]

28. A witness of Belial [Meaning a wicked varlet, that will hearken to no man. See Deut.13.on verse 13.] scorneth judgement: [forasmuch as he deceiveth the Judge by his false testimony, or evidence. Oth. Coloureth the cause: that is, he giveth it a kind of lustre or splendour with his far words, and seeming reasons. See above chapter 14.on verse 9.] and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity, [as drunkards swallow down their liquor. Compare Job 15:16. Oth.devoureth iniquity; that is, covereth it, or hiddeth it under a fair shew of words. For that which is devoured, and swallowed down, is hid, and taken away from the sight of men.]

29. Judgements [Both divine and Humane, temporal and eternal. So Psalms 119:120. Jer.48. verse 47. Luke 24:20. Rom.13.2.] are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.