Proverbs 2:8 - Exposition

He keepeth the paths of judgment. This verse is explanatory of the latter hemistich of Proverbs 2:7 , and points out more fully in what way God is a Protector of his saints. Some connect the Hebrew infinitive לִנְצֹד ( lin'tsor ) , "to watch or keep," with "them that walk uprightly," and translate, "them that walk uprightly by keeping the paths of judgment;" but this is to transfer the idea of protection from God to such persons. The verb signifies specially "to defend, to preserve from danger," as in Proverbs 22:12 , "The eyes of the Lind preserve knowledge; i.e. defend or protect it from danger." It is God who "keepeth the paths of judgment," as he alone has the power to do so. He watches over all that walk therein, guides, superin. tends, and protects them. The paths of judgment ; or rather, justice, אֱרְהוֹת מִשְׁפָט ( at'khoth mishpat ) . The abstract is here used for the concrete, and the phrase means "the paths of the just," i.e. the paths in which the just walk, or "those who walk justly" (Mercerus). This expression corresponds with "the way of his saints," just as "keep" and "preserve" are synonymous verbs, both meaning "to guard, keep safe, or protect." He preserveth the way of his saints. God does this