Proverbs 4:25-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 4:20-27

Solomon, having warned us not to do evil, here teaches us how to do well. It is not enough for us to shun the occasions of sin, but we must study the methods of duty. I. We must have a continual regard to the word of God and endeavour that it may be always ready to us. 1. The sayings of wisdom must be our principles by which we must govern ourselves, our monitors to warn us of duty and danger; and therefore, (1.) We must receive them readily: ?Incline thy ear to them (Prov. 4:20); humbly bow... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:25

Let thine eyes look right on ,.... To the path of truth and holiness, without turning or looking to the right hand or left, as it is afterwards expressed; to the word of truth, as the rule to walk by; to Christ, the author and finisher of faith, from whom all grace, and the supplies of it, are to be had; and to the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God; and thine eyelids look straight before thee ; to the precepts of the word, to observe them; to the promises of it for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of thy feet ,.... Consider well what path it is, whether right or wrong; or weigh it in the balances of thought, as Aben Ezra; or rather in the balances of the word, and see whether it agrees with that or not. The Septuagint version is, "make straight paths for thy feet"; to which the author of the epistle to the Hebrews seems to have respect, Hebrews 12:13 ; and let all thy walls be established ; so as to walk on steadily, constantly, uniformly, and not be easily moved... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of thy feet - Weigh well the part thou shouldst act in life. See that thou contract no bad habits. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

7. Seventh admonitory discourse. We here enter upon the second group of admonitory discourses, as is indicated by the opening address, "my children," and which occurs again in Proverbs 5:7 and Proverbs 7:24 . This group extends to the end of Proverbs 7:1-27 . Its prevailing tone is that of warning rather than of positive exhortations, which have been the rule hitherto. The general aim of the discourse before us, as of those preceding, is to exalt Wisdom, to exhibit her as a subject... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:20-27

The course of wisdom In these verses we may trace the course of wisdom from the beginning to its full development. We have— I. ITS BEGINNING IS THE SOUL . ( Proverbs 4:20 .) It commences in attention. When a man "inclines his ear unto the sayings of Wisdom," when he eagerly listens to what God says to him, when he is a disciple sitting at the feet of the great Teacher, he has taken an important step in the heavenward course. The "grace of God" is upon him ( Acts 13:43 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23-27

The heart and its issues I. LIFE CENTRED IN THE HEART . ( Proverbs 4:23 .) Physically, we know this is so. It is a self-acting pump, a fountain of vital force. All the physical activities are derived from it. Spiritually, it is so. The connection of the heart with emotion is recognized in all languages. It is feeling in the widest sense that makes us what we are. II. THE HEART MUST BE , THEREFORE , THE PECULIAR OBJECT OF OUR SOLICITUDE . ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:25

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids lock straight before thee. "To look right on " and "to look straight before one" is to fix the eyes steadily and unswervingly upon an object before them, not to allow the gaze to deflect either to the right hand or to the left. As a noun, the word nokakh, rendered "right on," signifies what is straight in front of one; adverbially, it has the same meaning as that given in the Authorized Version. The corresponding "before" ( neged ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:25-27

Spiritual drilling The whole man must be drilled into form and disciplined into orderly action, just as the whole armour of God is necessary for the protection of the soldier of Christ. It is not enough for safety to wear a helmet while the breast is exposed, nor to bare the head while the lees are covered; and it is not enough for service that part of our nature is trained to obedience. We must seek to have all in right order. I. THE HEART . This must be guarded most sedulously,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of thy feet; properly, make straight or level the path of thy feet. The command carries on the idea of the previous verse. Simplicity of aim in the moral life is to be accompanied by attention to the moral conduct. The sense is, remove every obstacle which may impede or render insecure the way of moral life, and thus avoid every false step. The meaning "to ponder," i.e. "to weigh," seems to be given to the verb palles, piel of the unused palas here used only in ... read more

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