Proverbs 3:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-4

Making the heart a treasury of good principles I. THE TREASURE . Innumerable impressions are constantly being made upon our minds, and as constantly transferring themselves into memories. Frivolous thoughts, false notions, corrupt images, once harboured, take up their abode in the soul, and ultimately modify its Character to the likeness of themselves. It is most important for us to guard our memories from such things, and to fill them with more worthy stores. Consider, therefore, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-4

Cherishing the truth We have here— I. THE ESSENTIAL THING IMPLIED . It is implied that the Law of God has been heard and understood; also that it has been received as Divine, and taken as the true guide of life. The teacher or preacher has sometimes to assume this; but too often it is an assumption unjustified by the facts. When it is justified, there come— II. TWO SPECIALLY VALUABLE VIRTUES INSISTED UPON . Mercy and truth ( Proverbs 3:3 ) are to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-10

Precepts and promises of wisdom I. THE CONNECTION OF PRECEPT AND PROMISE . 1 . Precept needs confirmation. We cannot but ask— Why should we pursue this or that line of conduct in preference to another? Why should men be God-fearing, honest, chaste? We are rational creatures, not "dumb driven cattle," to be forced along a given road. We must have reasons; and it is to reason in us that the Divine reason ever makes appeal. 2 . The confirmation is found in experience.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-18

4. Fourth admonitory discourse. The third chapter introduces us to a group of admonitions, and the first of these ( Proverbs 3:1-18 ) forms the fourth admonitory discourse of the teacher. To all intents and purposes this is a continuation of the discourse in the preceding chapter, for inasmuch as that described the benefits, spiritual and moral, which follow from the pursuit of Wisdom, in promoting godliness and providing safety from evil companions, so this in like manner depicts the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:2

Length of days ( orek yamim ); Vulgate, longitudo dierum. The expression is literally "extension of days," and signifies the prolongation of life, its duration to the appointed limit—a meaning which is brought out in the LXX . μῆκος βίου , "length of days," the Greek word βίος being used, not of existence, but of the time and course of life. It occurs again in Proverbs 3:16 , and also in Job 12:12 and Psalms 21:4 . "Length of days" is represented as a blessing in the Old... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:3

Mercy and truth ( khesed vermeth ); properly, love and truth ; Vulgate, misericordia et veritas ; LXX ; ἐλεημοσύναι καὶ πίστεις . With this verse begin the commandments which are alluded to in Proverbs 3:1 . The Hebrew khesed has to be understood in its widest sense, though the Vulgate and the LXX . confine it to one aspect of its meaning, viz. that which refers to the relation of man to man, to the pity evoked by the sight of another's misfortunes, and to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:4

So shalt thou find ( vum'lsa ); literally, and find. A peculiar use of the imperative, the imperative kal ( m'tsa ) with vav consecutive ( וִ ) being equivalent to the future, "thou shalt find," as in the Authorized Version. This construction, where two imperatives are joined, the former containing an exhortation or admonition, the second a promise made on the condition implied in the first, and the second imperative being used as a future, occurs again in Proverbs 4:4 ; ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 3:1-4

Proverbs 3:1-4. My son, forget not my law My doctrine or counsel; but let thy heart keep, &c. By diligent meditation and hearty affection. For length of days, &c. God will add these blessings which he hath promised to the obedient, Deuteronomy 8:18; Deuteronomy 30:20; 1 Timothy 4:8. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee That mercy and truth, which are man’s duty. Mercy denotes all benignity, charity, and readiness to do good to others; truth, or faithfulness, respects all... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-35

The whole life for God (3:1-35)Obedience and loyalty to God, in addition to guaranteeing his favour, produce the kind of life that most people acknowledge as honourable (3:1-4). If, instead of trusting in their own wisdom and ability, people live in an attitude of reverential trust in God, they can be assured that God will direct them in all their affairs. God will remove obstacles and lead them to their desired goals (5-8).Personal income is one part of everyday life where people must honour... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 3:1

My son. See note on Proverbs 2:1 . keep = watch, guard. See note on Proverbs 4:23 . read more

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