Proverbs 4
PATmost stately palace: but just and good men ought to look upon themselves as under his caro and blessing; and therefore very happy in the meanest cottage. Ver. 34- Surely he scometh the scorners: but he giveth grace to the lowly.] Those proud oppressors and scoffers at good men, he will undoubtedly, not only confound, but expose to scorn, and make them ridiculous in the eyes of the world; but cause the humble, modest, and meek (who bear even their insolent scoffs patiently), to be had in honour and highly esteemed. The dulness, sluggishness, and forgetfulness of mankind in their principal concernments are so notorious, that we need not wonder the wise man repeats the very same things, and quickens our attention to them, in the beginning of this chapter. Which he thought necessary to excite again (ver. 10.) and again, (ver. 20.) because all his pains he knew would be lost without serious consideration of what he said: and the very first step to wisdom, is to have a mind to be wise. And to make his exhortations the more acceptable, he acquaints the reader with the lessons which his own father and mother were wont to teach him, (ver. 3, 4, &c.) and the great benefit he had received by them. Which gave him the greater confidence to press every one to follow his example of obsequiousness to good counsels, as the surest way to be happy: and by no means to imitate the examples of the wicked, from which he dissuades by many arguments, (ver. 14, 15, &c.) and beseeches they may be so duly pondered, (ver. 20,21, &c.) that they produce in every one a watchfulness over his own heart, his mouth, his eyes, his feet: as may be seen in the conclusion of the chapter. The whole chapter from ver. 4. may be conceived to be the words of David as well as Solomon’s. But I have extended David’s advice no" farther than unto ver. 10. and there make Solomon to resume his exhortation; and urge upon his son what his father had taught him. There is one proverbial speech in ver. 27. which needs no explication. “Some would have another, ver. 16. but I can see no reason for it. The principal instructions in this chapter are these: the care that parents ought to take to instruct their children diligently; and the greater they are (suppose princes) the more accurate ought their education to be, as Solomon’s was: (ver. 3, 4, &c.) and above all things the excellence of wisdom and virtue is to be inculcated: for this * excites a desire of it; and that is the very beginning of it, as some expound those words, bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.] Thou canst not speak nor think too highly of this wisdom, as thou shalt find by happy experience. For if thou magnify it above all things, it will raise thy esteem, and make thee great in the world; yea, when thou entertainest it with ardent love, thou shalt become most illustrious in the sight of God and men.
Proverbs 4:1
JljLEAR, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding J. Listen then all ye that are desirous to learn, unto the instructions which, out of a paternal affection, I bring from God unto you: hearken to them, though they correct your present manners; and let your mind be so attentive, that you may know what it is to have a right understanding in all things.
Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake you not my law. They are no frivolous or indifferent matters which I teach you; but the most excellent things, and absolutely necessary to your happiness: therefore do not merely attend to them, but strictly observe my precepts, as the law and rule of your life.
Proverbs 4:3
For I was my father’s son, and tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. Do as I myself did, who remember, that when I was a child, the son of a most wise and pious father, and under the careful eye of an affectionate mother; who loved me most dearly above all her children, and while I was soft and flexible, and apt to receive good impressions, looked to my education with great circumspection;
Proverbs 4:4
He taught me also, and said ttnto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. My father was wont to tutor and instruct me, (1 Chron. xxviii. 8. xxix. 2.) saying, Mind my words, and faithfully retain them, not only in thy memory, but in thy affections; observe my commandments,- and thou shalt enjoy long happiness.
Proverbs 4:5
Get ivisdom, get tinderstanding; forget it not: neither decline from the words of my mouth. And this is the thing I require of thee, not so much to seek after riches, as to treasure up wisdom; and endeavour to understand how to behave thyself upon all occasions; and when thou art well-informed in thy duty, do not forget it, nor turn aside from the way, into which I will direct thee.
Proverbs 4:6
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Quit all things in this world rather than forsake the precepts of wisdom; stick to them, and they will preserve thee from innumerable mischiefs: love them sincerely, and they will be stronger guard than money can procure thee.
Proverbs 4:7
In which sense they are admirably explained in the book of Wisdom, (vi. 12 — 14. 17.) Next to this they are to be cautioned against evil company, as the bane of youth: and the wretchedness of their life that live wickedly is to be represented; and the happiness, comfort, and satisfaction, of theirs that live virtuously, which increase as their days and their virtues do, (ver. 18.) Next they are to be taught how necessary it is to be constant in reading pious books, especially the Holy Scriptures: (ver. 21.) and to have an upright heart, sincerely disposed to follow such directions; upon which all depends, both their well or ill-doing, and their well or ill-being. Watchfulness also over the senses is commended, as of great use to preserve the affections from being corrupted. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understa?iding.] And as there is nothing comparable to wisdom, so the first step to it is to know as much, and to prize it accordingly. Begin therefore to be wise, by looking upon the fear of God as above all earthly possessions, and by being willing, if it w r ere needful, to give all thou art worth to know what is pleasing to him.
Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall
Proverbs 4:9
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a croivn of glory shall she deliver to thee. Whatsoever else thou hast to commend thee and gain thee honour, this shall add unto it, and make it far more amiable; the fairest ornaments, or the most beautiful crown that can be set upon thy head, shall receive lustre from hence; and be settled there the most securely.
Proverbs 4:10
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings: and the years of thy life shall be many. Thus my father was wont to discourse to me, as I do to thee, my son; whom I earnestly again entreat (ver. 1.) to consider what I say, and to believe it; and then I promise thee, what he did me, (ver. 4.) that thou shalt lead a long and happy life. Ver* 11. 1 have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.] I have already taught thee, and will still inform thee in the wisest course unto it; not in those crooked ways of fraud and falseness, &c. which many take; but in the direct paths of integrity and truth, in which I intend, as I have done hitherto, to lead thee.
Proverbs 4:12
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. And if thy actions and designs have no other rule, thou shalt beat ease, and free from those straits and difficulties which others meet withal; and in case thy business shall require haste, this will be th6 safest, as well as the most inoffensive (if not the shortest), way to accomplish thy ends*
Proverbs 4:13
Take fast hold of instruction; let Iter not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Resolve to try it, and, though it should be contrary to thy present sense, yet do not refuse this instruction which Lgive thee; but take such fast hold of it, as never, for want of care and pains, to let it slip out of thy mind; keep it as a most precious treasure, for all thy happiness depends upon it.
Proverbs 4:14
Enter not into the path of the tvicked, andgo not in the way of evil men. And if thou really intendest to be guided by me, remember the advice I gave thee in the beginning, (chap. i. 10.) not so much as to enter upon their wicked course of life, or to keep them company, who regard not God, and are injurious to men: or, if thou hast been seduced into it, be not persuaded by their seeming prosperity, and thriving condition, to continue in it.
Proverbs 4:15
Avoid it, j>ass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. Avoid it therefore with a just abhorrence; come not near it, but get as far as thou canst from their society: and decline all occasions that might invite thee into it, as dangerous temptations. Ver. 1C. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.] For as mischief is their business, so they pursue it with a restless diligence; there being those among them, for instance, that cannot be quiet, nor have any satisfaction, till they have executed their villanous intentions; but perpetually disturb themselves* that they may ruin others. Ver. 17* For they eat the bread, of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.] For they live by robbery and spoil; having no other meat and drink, but what is the fruit of their rapine and violence, and not of their honest, labours.
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shzneth more and more unto the perfect day. Which makes a wide difference between them and righteous men; whose pure and innocent life is full of honour as well as joy; which increases continually together with, their virtue; proceeding (like the splendour of the sun, \Nrhich nothing can extinguish, nor hinder in its course) till come to the highest pitch of joy and glory.. \
Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble. Whereas, those wicked people live most uncomfortably, as well as basely and vilely; going on blindly to their own destruction (of which they are in constant danger, and grows more and more upon them), and yet they know not (no more than men in thick darkness) what mischief it is that suddenly may befal them.
Proverbs 4:20
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Therefore I do, not without reason, once more repeat my request unto thee, (ver. 1. 10.) that thou wilt give diligent heed to my advice; and seriously consider those exhortations, which proceed from a sincere affection to thy welfare.
Proverbs 4:21
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. Read them over and over again, and keep them perpetually in mind; or rather preserve them studiously, and lay them up, as a most precious trea^ sure, in the closest affections of ^hy heart.
Proverbs 4:22
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. For they will make all those exceeding happy, both in body and soul, that come thoroughly acquainted with them: and, how various soever their temper and condition be, will prove an universal remedy for all their griefs njnd troubles. Ver.‘23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.] And charge thyself with this, above all other cares, to set such a strict guard upon the inward thoughts, motions, and affections of thy soul (which are besieged with many enemies), that thy consent be neyer obtained to any thing which thou oughtest to refuse: for thy living well or ill depends on this; and such as thy caution and watchfulness are in this, such will the actions of thy life be, which flow from thence.
Proverbs 4:24
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. And as they that defend a city against an enemy set a strong guard at the gates and posterns,, so do thou upon thy ears aud upon thy mouth, never speaking things contrary to truth, honesty, and religion,.thyself; nor listening unto those that do, but banishing both as far as is possible, from thy familiarity.
Proverbs 4:25
Let tliine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight >bef ore thee. The eyes also are dangerous inlets into the heart; and therefore watch them well that they do not gaze about, and fasten on every object that invites them: but be fixed upon one scope, as thy thoughts ought to be, from which let nothing divert thein. Ver. 2G. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.] And before thou fixest aud resolvest upon any action, examine and weigh it thoroughly, whctherit.be agreeable to the rule of life, and the end thou aimest at: 2L2
The ivise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. They may be despised and debased for a time, but in the issue they shall be accounted the only wiso men; and leave an excellent never-dying fame behind them; when those impious men shall be famous for nothing, but the shame and disgrace that shall fall upon them.