Proverbs 25:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:25

See here, 1. How natural it is to us to desire to hear good news from our friends, and concerning our affairs at a distance. It is sometimes with impatience that we expect to hear from abroad; our souls thirst after it. But we should check the inordinateness of that desire; if it be bad news, it will come too soon, if good, it will be welcome at any time. 2. How acceptable such good news will be when it does come, as refreshing as cold water to one that is thirsty. Solomon himself had much... read more

John Gill

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

As cold waters to a thirsty soul ,.... Water is naturally cold; and is by classic writers expressed by "cold" itself F3 "Perfundit gelida", Horat. Sermon. l. 2. Sat. 7. v. 91. , and is very refreshing to one athirst through heat: or, "to a weary soul" F4 עיפה "lassa", Montanus; "lasso", Tigurine version, so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis. ; to one wearied with labour; or to a traveller weary with travelling, especially in hot countries, as in the deserts of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-27

The wisdom of moderation We can only eat a small quantity of honey; it we go beyond the limit we find out our mistake. Of this, as of all very sweet things, the words of the great dramatist are true, that "a little more than enough is by much too much." This is particularly applicable to that to which it is here referred. I. SELF - PRAISE . We may go a little way in that direction, but not far. If we transgress the narrow bounds allowed, we shall soon find that we have done... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20-25

The inopportune and the acceptable "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly" ( Proverbs 18:24 ). And if we would do this we must be careful to choose our time for speaking the truth to our friends, and must study to do not only the right but the appropriate thing. We must— I. ABSTAIN FROM THE INOPPORTUNE . ( Proverbs 25:20 .) It should require but a very humble share of delicacy to understand that what is very valuable at one time is altogether misplaced and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:23-28

Moral invectives I. AGAINST SLANDER . ( Proverbs 25:23 .) Here is a striking picture. Gunning and slanderous habits beget a dark and gloomy expression on the brow; as a homely German proverb says, "He makes a face like three days' rainy weather." The countenance, rightly read, is the mirror of the soul. Without the candid soul the brow cannot be clear and open. If we look into the mirror, we may see the condemnation which nature (that is, God) stamps upon our evil and unholy moods. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:25

As cold waters to a thirsty soul. The particle of comparison is not in this first clause in the Hebrew. (For "cold waters," comp. Jeremiah 18:14 .) So is good news from a far country. The nostalgia of an exile, and the craving for tidings of him felt by his friends at home, are like a parching thirst. The relief to the latter, when they receive good news of the wanderer, is as refreshing as a draught of cool water to a fainting, weary man. We do not know that the Hebrews were great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:25

Good news from afar country. I. THE LITERAL APPLICATION OF THE PROVERB . 1 . It may be that a rumour has come that a distant ally is marching to succour a nation in its distress, when it had thought itself forgotten, isolated, and helpless. 2 . Or perhaps, when there is famine in the land, the news arrives that "there is corn in Egypt." 3 . Or, again, the nation, like Tyro in antiquity, like Venice and Holland later, like England in the present day, may do business... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:25

Good news from abroad I. IT IS REFRESHING AND EVER WELCOME . This needs no illustration. Absence and distance raise a thousand fears in the fancy. Division and space from loved ones chill the heart. The arrival of good tidings bridges over great gulfs in thought. II. IT IS A PARABLE OF THE SPIRITUAL SPHERE . God has sent us good news from what, in our sins and ignorance, seems a far country. We have friends there. There is a real link between us. We are really... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Proverbs 25:25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country “Good and certain news, especially from a far country, (from whence it is hard to have any true intelligence,) is as grateful to him that longed to hear of his friends there, as cool water is to a thirsty traveller; especially when he meets with it in remote and uninhabited places, where he did not expect it.” Bishop Patrick. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:1-28

25:1-29:27 MORE PROVERBS OF SOLOMONRelations with others (25:1-28)God has no obligation to explain to anyone the reasons for his actions. A king, however, has a duty to his people to investigate the causes of events that affect them, though he need not reveal to them his deepest thoughts (25:1-3). Some advisers to the king may be ungodly or treacherous, and should be removed if the king is to rule righteously (4-5). It is better to wait to be invited to a higher rank than to be boastfully... read more

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