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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:25

Here is, 1. The cause and consequence of melancholy. It is heaviness in the heart; it is a load of care, and fear, and sorrow, upon the spirits, depressing them, and disabling them to exert themselves with any vigour on what is to be done or fortitude in what is to borne; it makes them stoop, prostrates and sinks them. Those that are thus oppressed can neither do the duty nor take the comfort of any relation, condition, or conversation. Those therefore that are inclined to it should watch and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 12:26

See here, 1. That good men do well for themselves; for they have in themselves an excellent character, and they secure to themselves an excellent portion, and in both they excel other people: The righteous is more abundant than his neighbour (so the margin); he is richer, though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. There is a true excellency in religion; it ennobles men, inspires them with generous principles, makes them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop ,.... Either an anxious care and solicitude about living in the world, as the word F13 דאגה "solicitudo", Tigurine version, Montanus, Piscator, Michaelis; "solicitudo anxia", Mercerus, Gejerus; "solicita anxietas", Junius & Tremellius; "anxietatem", Schultens. signifies; when it seizes a man's spirits, it depresses them, and keeps them down: or a fear and dread of adversity, or sorrow and grief, on account of some calamity and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:26

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour ,.... Not than his neighbour who is righteous also; for though one may have more excellent gifts than another, or a larger measure of grace; one righteous man may have more faith than another, yet not more righteousness; every truly righteous man is justified by the same righteousness, even the righteousness of Christ; and therefore one cannot be more excellent, considered as righteous: but the righteous is more excellent than his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop - Sorrow of heart, hopeless love, or a sense of God's displeasure - these prostrate the man, and he becomes a child before them. But a good word maketh it glad - A single good or favorable word will remove despondency; and that word, "Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee," will instantly remove despair. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 12:26

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor - That is, if the neighbor be a wicked man. The spirit of the proverb lies here: The Poor righteous man is more excellent than his sinful neighbor, though affluent and noble. The Syriac has it, "The righteous deviseth good to his neighbor." A late commentator has translated it, "The righteous explore their pastures." How מרעהו can be translated Their pastures I know not; but none of the versions understood it in this way. The Vulgate is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness —care —in the heart of man maketh it stoop ( Proverbs 15:13 ; Proverbs 17:22 ). Care brings dejection and despair; hence the Christian is bidden to beware of excessive anxiety, and not to perplex himself with solicitude for the future ( Matthew 6:1-34 :84; 1 Peter 5:7 ). A good word maketh it glad. λύπην γὰρ εὔνους οἶδεν ἰᾶσθαι λόγος . "A word of kindness grief's keen smart can heal." Septuagint, "A word of terror disturbs the heart of a (righteous)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:25

Depression This proverb shows us depression of soul in its own distress and gloom, and then gives a hint of the way in which it may be remedied. I. THE STATE OF DEPRESSION . The heart is bowed down with heaviness. This is very different from external adversity and from the natural feelings that are produced by such a condition. It may be quite independent of circumstances. The buoyant soul will face great ca]amities with comparative cheerfulness, while the heavy heart is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 12:25

3. Depression and comfort I. DEPRESSION IS COMMON . II. TROUBLE AFFECTS THE HEART . When we use the word "discouragement" we point to a state that is both bodily and psychical. The action of the heart is lowered, and there is less energy to act and to endure. III. THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF SYMPATHY . The kindly word, and all that it expresses of love and fellow feeling on the part of our friend, quickens the pulse, and restores, as by magic, the tone of the... read more

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