10 An oath `is' on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
Lo, for righteousness doth a king reign, As to princes, for judgment they rule. And each hath been as a hiding-place `from' wind, And as a secret hiding-place `from' inundation, As rivulets of waters in a dry place, As a shadow of a heavy rock in a weary land.
Is not this that with which my lord drinketh? and he observeth diligently with it; ye have done evil `in' that which ye have done.'
`And it hath been, when he sitteth on the throne of his kingdom, that he hath written for himself the copy of this law, on a book, from `that' before the priests the Levites, and it hath been with him, and he hath read in it all days of his life, so that he doth learn to fear Jehovah his God, to keep all the words of this law, and these statutes, to do them; so that his heart is not high above his brethren, and so as not to turn aside from the command, right or left, so that he prolongeth days over his kingdom, he and his sons, in the midst of Israel.
He said -- the God of Israel -- to me, He spake -- the Rock of Israel: He who is ruling over man `is' righteous, He is ruling in the fear of God. And as the light of morning he riseth, A morning sun -- no clouds! By the shining, by the rain, Tender grass of the earth!
Thy throne, O God, `is' age-during, and for ever, A sceptre of uprightness `Is' the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hatest wickedness, Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee, Oil of joy above thy companions.
By Solomon. O God, Thy judgments to the king give, And Thy righteousness to the king's son. He judgeth Thy people with righteousness, And Thy poor with judgment. The mountains bear peace to the people, And the heights by righteousness. He judgeth the poor of the people, Giveth deliverance to the sons of the needy, And bruiseth the oppressor.
An abomination to kings `is' doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established. The delight of kings `are' righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,
Lo, days are coming -- an affirmation of Jehovah, And I have raised to David a righteous shoot, And a king hath reigned and acted wisely, And done judgment and righteousness in the earth. In his days is Judah saved, and Israel dwelleth confidently, And this his name that Jehovah proclaimeth him, `Our Righteousness.'
Ye who are turning to wormwood judgment, And righteousness to the earth have put down,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 16
Commentary on Proverbs 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 16
Pr 16:1-33.
1. preparations—schemes.
in man—or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer … Lord—The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
2. clean—or, "faultless."
weigheth—or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pr 21:2; 24:12).
3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.
4. for himself—"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Ps 49:5; Jer 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.
5. (Compare Pr 3:32).
6. By mercy and truth—that is, God's (Ps 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged—expiated (as in Le 16:33; Isa 27:9, Hebrew).
7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.
8. (Compare Pr 15:6, 16, 17).
9. (Compare Pr 16:3).
directeth—establisheth.
10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.
11. are the Lord's … his work—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.
12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.
13. A specification of the general sentiment of Pr 16:12.
14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.
15. light of … countenance—favor (Ps 4:6).
life—preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain—fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (De 11:14).
16. (Compare Pr 3:16; 4:5).
17. The highway—A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth—observes.
18, 19. (Compare Pr 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall—literally, "sliding."
19. divide the spoil—that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud (Jas 4:6).
20. handleth a matter—wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pr 13:13).
trusteth—(Compare Ps 2:12; 118:8, 9).
21. wise in heart—who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22. Understanding—or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pr 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24. (Compare Pr 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.
25. (Compare Pr 14:2).
26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.
27. ungodly man—(Compare Pr 6:12).
diggeth up evil—labors for it.
in his lips … fire—His words are calumniating (Jas 3:6).
28. (Compare Pr 6:14; 10:31).
whisperer—prater, talebearer (Pr 18:8; 26:20).
29. violent man—or, "man of mischief" (Pr 3:31).
enticeth—(Pr 1:10).
30. He shutteth his eyes—denoting deep thought (Ps 64:6).
moving his lips—or, "biting his lips"—a determined purpose (Pr 6:13).
31. (Compare Pr 20:29).
if—or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Pr 3:16; 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.
32. (Compare Pr 14:29).
taketh a city—that is, by fighting.
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.