Proverbs 20:27-35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

We have here the dignity of the soul, the great soul of man, that light which lighteth every man. 1. It is a divine light; it is the candle of the Lord, a candle of his lighting, for it is the inspiration of the Almighty that gives us understanding. He forms the spirit of man within him. It is after the image of God that man is created in knowledge. Conscience, that noble faculty, is God's deputy in the soul; it is a candle not only lighted by him, but lighted for him. The Father of spirits is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:28

Here we have, 1. The virtues of a good king. Those are mercy and truth, especially mercy, for that is mentioned twice here. He must be strictly faithful to his word, must be sincere, and abhor all dissimulation, must religiously discharge all the trusts reposed in him, must support and countenance truth. He must likewise rule with clemency, and by all acts of compassion gain the affections of his people. Mercy and truth are the glories of God's throne, and kings are called gods. 2. The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:29

This shows that both young and old have their advantages, and therefore must each of them be, according to their capacities, serviceable to the public, and neither of them despise nor envy the other. 1. Let not old people despise the young, for they are strong and fit for action, able to go through business and break through difficulties, which the aged and weak cannot grapple with. The glory of young men is their strength, provided they use it well (in the service of God and their country,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

Note, 1. Many need severe rebukes. Some children are so obstinate that their parents can do no good with them without sharp correction; some criminals must feel the rigour of the law and public justice; gentle methods will not work upon them; they must be beaten black and blue. And the wise God sees that his own children sometimes need very sharp afflictions. 2. Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good, as corrosives contribute to the cure of a wound, eating out the proud flesh. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord ,.... The rational soul of man is a light set up in him; this is what is commonly called the light of nature; it was a bright and burning light at first, but through sin is become a very feeble one; by which men have only a glimmering view of divine things, of God and his worship, and of what he would have done, or not done; by this light men do but grope after him, if happily they may find him and know his will; it is but like a candle light at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:28

Mercy and truth preserve the king ,.... Which are two good qualifications in a prince; not ruling his subjects with rigour and cruelty, but with tenderness and clemency; easing them as much as he can of burdens and pressures; showing compassion to the distressed, and pardoning delinquents when the case will admit of it; as also being faithful to his word, promises, and engagements; inviolably adhering to the laws and constitution of the nation, and steady in his administrations of justice;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:29

The glory of young men is their strength ,.... That is the excellent thing in them, and it is to their honour when it is employed in the service of their king and country, and especially in the service of God and religion; though it does not become them to glory in it, Jeremiah 9:23 ; and the beauty of old men is the gray head ; an index of wisdom and prudence; see Job 12:12 . The design of the proverb is to show that both have their excellencies and usefulness, young men and old... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:30

The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil ,.... Rubs it off and scours it away, as the word F13 תמריק "abstesio", Piscator, Mercerus, Cocceius; "detersio", Montanus, Michaelis; "effricatio", Schultens. signifies, or is a clearing and rubbing it off; some men must be beaten black and blue, or must have very sore correction, before they can be reclaimed and reformed from their evil ways; so some interpret it of the evil man F14 ברע "in malo, sub, homine", Vatablus, Mercerus,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord - God has given to every man a mind, which he so enlightens by his own Spirit, that the man knows how to distinguish good from evil; and conscience, which springs from this, searches the inmost recesses of the soul. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:28

Mercy and truth preserve the king - These are the brightest jewels in the royal crown; and those kings who are most governed by them have the stablest government. read more

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