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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

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

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 12:25

Proverbs 12:25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop Anxious cares and grief depress the spirit of a man, and disable him from exerting himself with any vigour in fulfilling his duty in his place and station, and from bearing with fortitude the sufferings to which he is exposed, in the course of divine providence; but a good word maketh it glad A compassionate and encouraging word, from a friend or minister, affords him relief and comfort, and enables him to go on his way with... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 12:1-28

Honest speech and honest work (12:1-28)There are further proverbs on attitudes towards criticism (12:1-2; see notes on 9:7-9), the stability of the righteous (3) and the value of a good wife (4). The righteous, besides having good principles, have the courage to speak up at risk to themselves in order to save others (5-7).If people live humbly and in keeping with their financial capacity, they may not achieve high social status, but at least they will remain free of debt. They are wiser than... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness = Anxiety (feminine) stoop = bowed down. Illustrations: Ezra (Ezra 9:3 Ezra 10:6 ); Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4 ); David (Psalms 40:12 ); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:18 ). maketh, &c. = maketh [the man] glad [by driving it (feminine), the anxiety (feminine), away]. read more

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