Proverbs 31:4-7

Proverbs 31:4-7. It is not for kings to drink wine Namely, to excess, as the next verse explains it: Lest they drink and forget the law The laws of God, by which they are to govern themselves and their kingdoms; and pervert the judgment of the afflicted Which may be easily done by a drunken judge, because drunkenness deprives a man of the use of his reason; by which alone men can distinguish between right and wrong, and withal stirs up those passions in him, which incline him both to precipitation and partiality. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish To faint; for such need a cordial. This is to be understood comparatively; to him rather than to kings, because he needs a liberal draught of it more than they do. Let him drink and forget his poverty For wine moderately used allays men’s cares and fears, and cheers the spirits.