Proverbs 15:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

Here, 1. Harmless mirth is recommended to us, as that which contributes to the health of the body, making men lively and fit for business, and to the acceptableness of the conversation, making the face to shine and rendering us pleasant one to another. A cheerful spirit, under the government of wisdom and grace, is a great ornament to religion, puts a further lustre upon the beauty of holiness, and makes men the more capable of doing good. 2. Hurtful melancholy is what we are cautioned... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance ,.... Or, a "joyful heart" F3 לב שמח "cor gaudens", V. L. Baynus. ; that is joyful in the God of its salvation; that rejoices in Christ Jesus; is filled with joy and peace through believing in him, in his person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; that has a comfortable view of his justification by his righteousness, of peace and pardon by his blood, of the atonement of his sins by his sacrifice; to whom he has said, "be of good cheer,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:13

By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken - Every kind of sorrow worketh death, but that which is the offspring of true repentance. This alone is healthful to the soul. The indulgence of a disposition to sighing tends to destroy life. Every deep sigh throws off a portion of the vital energy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:12-15

Sullen folly and cheerful wisdom I. DISLIKE OF CRITICISM . ( Proverbs 15:12 .) Often seen in those who are most critical themselves. The jiber is easily galled by a telling retort. The satirical man least loves satire upon himself. But one of the lessons we learn from truly great minds is that of willingness to turn a jest against one's self, and to find positive pleasure in a criticism of one's own character that hits the mark, provided it be good natured. But with ill nature no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. The face is the index of the condition of the mind. "In the forehead and the eye The lecture of the mind doth lie." And, again, "A blithe heart makes a blooming visage" (comp. Ecclesiasticus 13:25, etc.). Septuagint, "When the heart is glad, the face bloometh ( θάλλει )." But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken ( Proverbs 12:25 ). Happiness is shown in the outward look, but sorrow has a deeper and more abiding influence; it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:13

A joyous heart or a broken spirit These are the two extremes. The less we have of the one the more we tend towards the other. The first is encouraged that it may save us from the disasters of the second condition. I. THE CONDITION OF THE HEART IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE . "Out of it are the issues of life" ( Proverbs 4:23 ). The first essential for one whose life has been wrong is the creation of "a clean heart" ( Psalms 51:10 ). According as we think and feel in our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:13-17

The source of satisfaction We learn— I. THAT THERE SOMETIMES RESTS A LONG AND DEEP SHADOW ON THE PATH OF HUMAN LIFE . 1 . Sometimes a long one. "All the days of the afflicted are evil." They are not a few who have to make up their minds for many months or years of separation or pain, or even for a lifelong trouble. They know that they will carry their burden to the grave. 2 . Sometimes a deep one. "By sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." The... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 15:13-15

Proverbs 15:13-15. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; &c. “When the mind of a man is inwardly satisfied, and full of joy, it does good to his body too, as appears in his cheerful countenance: but when grief seizes on the heart, it detects, enfeebles, and breaks the most courageous spirit.” All the days of the afflicted Of those troubled in mind, as the meaning of this general expression may be very fitly restrained from the following clause; are evil Tedious and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-33

Bringing joy to others (15:1-33)Words can easily cheer others or enrage them, help them or hinder them. Therefore, people should think carefully about what they say (15:1-5). In addition to being wise in their speech, they must be honest in the way they earn their income (6-7). In fact, they must be upright in all aspects of their daily lives. Only then will God, from whom nothing can be hidden, accept their sacrifices and prayers (8-11). Another matter concerning habits of speech is that those... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 15:13

merry = joyful, or glad. read more

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