Warnings about overconfidence, tact, and pride
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| 1 The preparations
of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
.2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. .5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. |
2
- Clean in his own eyes God judges the heart.
2 - Spirits The presence of the Holy Spirit is represented by the plural. We see the seven spirits of God as the Holy Spirit in comparing Rev. 4:5 re0405b with Rev. 1:4, 5. Here the "spirits" may also be evil. |
| .6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men
depart from evil.
.7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. .8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. 11 A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. |
6
- Mercy ... fear This insight helps us understand the fear of the
Lord. It joins the character traits of mercy and truth to keep us from
sin.
7 - Even enemies We pray for success in approaching authorities and others. We must also pray for tact and respect. |
| .12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established
by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. .14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. .15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. |
12
- Abomination ... kings They are to be servants of God for the people.
da0417,
ro1301-6.
13 - Righteous lips Our leaders deserve our honesty. See pr0806,7. 14 - Pacify wrath Advice for dealing with authorities. Also see verse 7. 15 - King's countenance This is true about the King of kings. The latter rain matures the grain that had been planted in the fall. See je0524, je0303. |
| 16 How much better is
it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen
than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. .18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. |
16
- Better to get wisdom Gold is material wealth. Wisdom may seek
spiritual wealth. See pr0314,
pr0810.
17 - Highway The upright (righteous) choose to live above the wicked world while calling others to follow. See mt0713, pr0426, pr1519, 2ti0219. v19. Also pr1102, pr1719. 18 - Pride ... before a fall This principle may not be evident until the day of judgment. It is illustrated in the story of Nebuchadnezzar da0428 and v.5 above. 20 - Handleth a matter The clause may be translated, "He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good." Those who trust the Scriptures will be happy in spite of circumstances. 23 - Teacheth his mouth Wise and helpful words do not depend on feelings. |
| .25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. .28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. |
25 - Way that seems right Of course not every way that seems right is wrong. The principle here is that we cannot rely on our senses for what is right. Of course we have the promise of joy ps01611 but feelings of power and speaking gibberish are not signs of the Holy Spirit. We know the Spirit's voice by how it agrees and highlights truth is0820. |
| 30 He shutteth his eyes
to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
.31 The hoary [silver-haired] head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. .32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. .33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. |
30
- Moving his lips Or, more accurately, "compressing his lips" perhaps
in determination.
31 - Psalm 71 is about old age ps071. 33 - Lot A system that, with only human use, would be selection by chance. The Hebrew word for "lot" means pebble. The little rocks could have been stones identified in some way that, when drawn, would lead to a conclusion. The High Priest in the tabernacle would wear a breastplate which included two special stones which God used to determine a decision ex2830. |
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