proverbs-4:23

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 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence ,.... The mind from vanity, the understanding from error, the will from perverseness, the conscience clear of guilt, the affections from being inordinate and set on evil objects, the thoughts from being employed on bad subjects; and the whole from falling into the hands of the enemy, or being the possession of Satan: great diligence had need be used in keeping it, since it is naturally so deceitful and treacherous; a strict eye is to be kept upon it; all the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence - " Above all keeping," guard thy heart. He who knows any thing of himself, knows how apt his affections are to go astray. For out of it are the issues of life - חיים תוצאות totseoth chaiyim , "the goings out of lives." Is not this a plain allusion to the arteries which carry the blood from the heart through the whole body, and to the utmost extremities? As long as the heart is capable of receiving and propelling the blood, so long life is continued.... 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

Keep thy heart with all diligence; properly, above all things that have to be guarded, keep or guard thy heart. So Mercerus, Gescnius, Delitzsch, Zockler. This seems to be the right meaning of the phrase, mikkol-mish'mar, rendered in the Authorized Version "with all diligence," mish'mar, from shamar, "to guard," being the object of guarding; that which is to be guarded. It is as if the teacher said, "Guard riches, property, health, body, everything, in short, in which you have a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

On guard I. WHAT IS TO BE KEPT . The heart. In the Bible the "heart" represents what we call the "head" as well as the affections and conscience to which we confine the word "heart;" i.e. it stands for the whole inner nature, the life of thought, feeling, and will. This is the "Town of Mansoul," and it has the various constituents of a town. 1 . Entrance gates. The soul is always receiving thoughts and impulses from without. It is important to see that no adulterated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

Man's chief treasure "Keep thy heart above all keeping" (marginal reading). Evidently there is a precious treasure which, as the disciples of Wisdom, we are charged to keep. We ask— I. WHAT ARE THE CHIEF TREASURES WE HAVE IN CHARGE ? These are threefold. 1 . That which belongs to us, but which is entirely without us—our money, our houses, our lands, our shares, our ships, our precious documents, our "valuables." 2 . That which is more closely related to us,... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 4:23

Proverbs 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence The Hebrew is, Above all keeping, keep thy heart, that is, thy mind and thoughts, thy will and affections, which are the more immediate cause of men’s actions. Out of it are the issues of life The life or death of the soul proceeds from the heart: an upright, enlightened, renewed, devout, and watchful heart gives birth to those holy dispositions, words, and actions, which manifest spiritual life, and lead to eternal life: on the contrary,... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:20-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 4:23-27

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 4:23

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