Proverbs 4:22-27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:27

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left - Avoid all crooked ways. Be an upright, downright, and straight-forward man. Avoid tricks, wiles, and deceptions of this kind. To this the Septuagint and Vulgate add the following verse: Αυτος δε ορθας ποιησει τας τροχιας σου, τας δε πορειας σου εν ειρηνη προαξει . Ipse autem rectos faciet cursus tuos; itinera autem tua in pace producet . "For himself will make thy paths straight and thy journeyings will he conduct in prosperity." The Arabic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

7. Seventh admonitory discourse. We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24 . This group extends to the end of Proverbs 7:1-27 . Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:20-22

Self-preservation The instinct of self-preservation is the very root of all our activity. "Every individual existence strives to remain what it is," and would defend its integrity from all attack. I. THE INSTINCT IS RECOGNIZED . As it must be by all genuine teachers. It is a fact, and cannot be properly ignored; a Divine fact, and ought not to be obscured. It includes II. THE INSTINCT IS DIRECTED . It needs direction; for all instinct is in itself blind, and men, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:20-27

The course of wisdom In these verses we may trace the course of wisdom from the beginning to its full development. We have— I. ITS BEGINNING IS THE SOUL . ( Proverbs 4:20 .) It commences in attention. When a man "inclines his ear unto the sayings of Wisdom," when he eagerly listens to what God says to him, when he is a disciple sitting at the feet of the great Teacher, he has taken an important step in the heavenward course. The "grace of God" is upon him ( Acts 13:43 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:22

They are life; i.e. they bring life ( khayyim ; the plural, as usual). Unto those that find them; i.e. to those who by effort get possession of and procure them; the verb matsa, to find, embodying the idea of activity. Health ; mar'pe, derived from the root rapha, "to heal" (like riph'uth of Proverbs 3:8 , which see), and hence rather "the means of health" than "health," "healing," or, as margin, "medicine," "that which restores to health;" LXX ; ἴασις ;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; properly, above all things that have to be guarded, keep or guard thy heart. So Mercerus, Gescnius, Delitzsch, Zockler. This seems to be the right meaning of the phrase, mikkol-mish'mar, rendered in the Authorized Version "with all diligence," mish'mar, from shamar, "to guard," being the object of guarding; that which is to be guarded. It is as if the teacher said, "Guard riches, property, health, body, everything, in short, in which you have a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

On guard I. WHAT IS TO BE KEPT . The heart. In the Bible the "heart" represents what we call the "head" as well as the affections and conscience to which we confine the word "heart;" i.e. it stands for the whole inner nature, the life of thought, feeling, and will. This is the "Town of Mansoul," and it has the various constituents of a town. 1 . Entrance gates. The soul is always receiving thoughts and impulses from without. It is important to see that no adulterated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

Man's chief treasure "Keep thy heart above all keeping" (marginal reading). Evidently there is a precious treasure which, as the disciples of Wisdom, we are charged to keep. We ask— I. WHAT ARE THE CHIEF TREASURES WE HAVE IN CHARGE ? These are threefold. 1 . That which belongs to us, but which is entirely without us—our money, our houses, our lands, our shares, our ships, our precious documents, our "valuables." 2 . That which is more closely related to us,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23-27

The heart and its issues I. LIFE CENTRED IN THE HEART . ( Proverbs 4:23 .) Physically, we know this is so. It is a self-acting pump, a fountain of vital force. All the physical activities are derived from it. Spiritually, it is so. The connection of the heart with emotion is recognized in all languages. It is feeling in the widest sense that makes us what we are. II. THE HEART MUST BE , THEREFORE , THE PECULIAR OBJECT OF OUR SOLICITUDE . ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:24

The following admonitions of this chapter bear reference to the outward conduct of life. They continue the subject of Proverbs 4:23 by showing how the guarding of the heart is to be done. There is the most; intimate connection between the heart as the fountain of the moral life and of the conduct of life, which, though determined by the condition of the heart, in its turn reacts upon the heart as the moral centre, and keeps it pure. Thus the subject is treated from its two sides. On ... read more

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