Proverbs 21

THe kings heart His very inward purposes and inclinations, which seem to be most in a Man's own power, and out of the reach of all others, and much more his Tongue and Hand, and all his outward actions. He names Kings hot to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitrary and uncontrollable than other men. is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water Which Husbandmen or Gardiners can draw by little Channels into the adjacent grounds as they please, and as their occasions require., he turneth it Directeth and boweth partly by suggesting those things to their Minds which have a commanding influence upon their wills, and partly by a direct and immediate motion of their wills and affections, which being God's Creatures must needs be as subject to his power and pleasure as either mens Minds or Bodies are, and which he moves sweetly and suitably to their own Nature, though strongly and effectually. whithersoever he will So as they shall fulfil his counsels and designs, either of Mercy or of Correction to themselves, or to their People..

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD pondereth the hearts This was said, Ch. 16. 2. where it is explained, and is here repeated, either for the great importance and usefulness of it, or because he perceived that the Israelites were very prone to selfdeceit..

To do justice and judgment The conscientious performance of all our duties to men., is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice Than the most costly, outward services offered to God, joyned with the neglect of our Moral duties to God or men. The same thing is affirmed, 1 Sam. 15. 22. Hos. 6. 6. Mic. 6. 7, 8, &c..

An high look One gesture or sign of Pride put for all the rest. Prov. 6. 17., and a proud heart Pride lurking and reigning in the Heart, though it do not discover it self to men by outward actions, but be disguised with a show of humility, as it is frequently., and the plowing Either 1. strictly and properly so called: even their civil or natural actions, which in themselves are lawful and good, are made sinful as they are managed by ungodly men, without any regard to the service and glory of God, which ought to be the great end of all our actions, 1 Cor. 10. 31. and with a design of serving their own wicked lusts by it. Or 2. Metaphorically, their designs and endeavours, which are said to be sin, because they are wholly and fully set upon sin, and they make sin their trade or business, which is called Plowing wickedness, Job 4. 8. But all the ancient Interpreters, and divers others render the word the Lamp or Light, as this Hebrew word, even thus pointed, is rendred, 1 Kings 11. 36. & 15. 4. 2 Kings 8. 19. 2 Chron. 21. 7. and the Lamp of the wicked is a Phrase used in this Book, Ch. 13. 9. & 24. 20. as also, Iob 21. 17. whereas the Plowing of the wicked is a Phrase not elsewhere used. And this seems best to agree with the Context, for by their Lamp he seems to understand all their pomp and glory, that worldly greatness and Prosperity, which is the Fewel of their Pride, and therefore is most fitly joyned with it. of the wicked, is sin It is by them turned into sin, and made the occasion of much wickedness. The whole Verse may be thus rendred, An high look, and a proud Heart, which is the light or glory of the wicked (i. e. wherein they glory, esteeming it magnanimity or gallantry of spirit) is sin, i. e. is a great and grievous sin. And in this manner the learned Mercer renders the Verse, save only that he translates the Hebrew word Nir, the Plowing..

The thoughts of the diligent Who carefully and industriously prosecutes what he has wisely contrived and resolved, tend only to plenteousness, but of every one that is hasty Who manageth his affairs rashly, without due consideration., only to want Is likely to bring himself to po verty..

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue By false-witness-bearing, or by any other false or deceitful words or actions, whereby many men get riches. is a vanity tossed to and fro Is like the Chaff or Smoak driven away by the Wind, it is neither satisfactory nor durable, but quickly vanisheth away, as has been frequently observed of Estates ill-gotten. of them that seek death Not designedly but eventually, that take those courses which will bring Death or Destruction upon them or theirs..

The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them The injury which they do to others shall either by God or men be returned upon their own heads., because they refuse to do judgment They wilfully and obstinatly give up themselves to unrighteous practices..

The way The course of his life. of man Of every Man, of Man by Nature and in his corrupt estate, of a wicked or, impure man, to whom the pure is opposed in the next Clause. is froward and strange Estranged from God and from Man's primitive Integrity, and from the rule of his actions, Reason and Scripture: in which respects wicked men are called strangers, Psal. 54. 3. Ezek. 44. 7. and elsewhere. but as for the pure, his work is right But he whose Heart is pure and upright, his conversation is agreeable to it..

It is better to dwell To wit, alone in quietness, as appears from the opposite clause. in a corner of the house, top Of the roof of the House, which in those Countries was flat and plain and habitable, but was exposed to all the injuries of the Weather., than with a brawling woman in a wide house Or, in a common House, or, an House of Society, where Husband and Wise live together, or which is capable of many Friends or Companies..

The soul of the wicked desireth evil His Heart is fully and earnestly set in him, as it is expressed, Eccles. 8. 11. to do evil, to work wickedness, to do mischief to others, to satisfie his own lusts, though it be with injury of others.: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes If he either dissuade him from his wickedness, or stand in the way of his Lusts. He spares neither friend nor foe..

* When the scorner is punished, the simple The honest or plainhearted man, as Chap. 19. 25. where this whole verse for the substance of it is contained and explained. is made wise: and when the wise is instructed Or, prospers, as this word is used, Prov. 17. 8. and elsewhere. So the sense of the verse is, The simple learn Wisdom, both from the punishment of wicked men, and from the prosperity of good men., he receiveth knowledg.

The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked He looketh through its present Power and Glory (which dazleth the Eyes of others) unto that ruine to which it is designed., but Or, now, or that, this being the thing which he wisely considereth. God overthroweth Or, will overthrow in his due time, though for a season he bear with them. the wicked for their wickedness.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor When they cry out by reason of Oppression or want, and beg relief from him., he also shall cry himself Unto God or Men, in his straits which God will bring upon him., but shall not be heard.

A gift To a person loffended and angry with us, as the following words show. in secret Which makes it more acceptable; for gifts openly given savour of ostentation in the giver, and cause some shame or contempt to the receiver. pacifieth anger, and a reward in the bosom Secretly conveyed into his bosom. See on Prov. 17. 8. & 18. 16., strong wrath.

It is joy to the just The sense is either 1. He is highly pleased and delighted with it. Or 2. He reapeth much comfort and benefit by it, which is opposed to the following destruction: joy is put for matter or cause of joy to do judgment To do what is just or good, for this is opposed to working of iniquity., but destruction Or, as others render it, terror or horror, opposite to joy. shall be to the workers of iniquity.

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding That forsaketh the rule of Gods word, and walketh after his own Lusts. shall remain in the congregation of the dead Shall, without Repentance, be condemned to eternal Death or Damnation..

He that loveth pleasure That gives up himself to the pursuit and enjoyment of sensual and immoderate pleasures. shall be a poor man Takes the ready course to Poverty., he that loveth wine and oil Which are put for all delicious fare and luxurious feasting; for Wine and Oil were much used in Feasts in those parts. shall not be rich.

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous The wicked shall be brought into those troubles which were either threatned by God, or designed by wicked men against the righteous, and by that means, as by a ransom, the righteous shall be delivered. Thus Achan was a ransom for Israel, Ios. 7. 26. and Haman for Mordecai., and the transgressor for the upright.

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than Understand, in a wide house, as it is expressed above, v. 9. and as the opposition here requires. with a contentious and angry woman.

There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise Wise-men lay up all necessary and desirable treasures for their own use, and for their Children, and Families. Oil is particularly mentioned, partly because that was a considerable part of their Wealth and Treasures in those Countries, of which see Deut. 7. 13. & 28. 40, 51. Iudg. 9. 9. Mic. 6. 15. &c. and partly to show that his Providence reached not only to necessaries, but even to matters of just and lawful delight.: but a foolish man spendeth it up.

He that followeth after That fervently desires, and diligently and constantly endeavours to attain to them, for such shall and will certainly obtain them. righteousness and mercy Living in the constant exercise of these virtues., findeth Shall obtain from God, what is right and due to him, either from God by virtue of his gracious promise, or from men, whose hearts God will dispose to deal justly and kindly with him. life, righteousness, and honour.

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty Wisdom and policy is oft times more considerable and powerful than strength., and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof The strongest forts to which the Citizens trust most for their defence..

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue From offensive and provoking speeches., keepeth his soul His person. from troubles Which a licentious and abusive Tongue frequently brings upon a man..

Proud and haughty scorner is his name Instead of that respect and glory which he seeks by such courses, he shall be branded with the Title and Imputation of an arrogant and scornful person, which is most contemptible and hateful to Mankind., who dealeth in proud wrath Who in the conduct of his affairs and dealings in the world, is not governed by Reason and Justice, but by his own Pride and Passions..

The desire of the slothful killeth him Either 1. Tormenteth him almost to death, whilst he passionately desires that which he sees he shall not enjoy, and will not take pains to procure. Or 2. Exposeth him to extream want, and so to death, or so such wicked courses for the supply of his wants, as bring him to an untimely death.: for his hands refuse to labour.

He The slothful man mentioned in the last verse. But because the Verses in this Book are for the most part independent one upon another, this clause is and may be otherwise rendred, There is that coveteth, &c. Or, the wicked (which may be understood from the opposition of the righteous in the next clause) coveteth, &c. coveteth greedily all the day long Spends his whole time in vain and lazy desires, but will not labour to get any thing, either to, or to give to others.: but the righteous giveth and spareth not By Gods Blessing upon his he procures enough, not only for his own support, but also for the liberal relief of others..

The sacrifice All the most glorious and costly services which they offer to God. of the wicked is abomination God rejects and abhors them, because they are offered by such men, and in such manner as God justly abhors.: how much more when Or, because, as all the antient Translators render it, the Hebrew particle, aph, being expletive: Or, even because; so the following clause gives the reason of the former Proposition. he bringeth it with a wicked mind With an hypocritical and impenitent Heart, or with a bad design, not in obedience to Gods Command, and with respect to his honour and service, but either to cover, or countenance, or promote some wicked intention or course, which, notwithstanding all his professions of Religion, he is resolved to prosecute.!

A false witness Heb. A witness of lies one who is forward to swear or speak false things, or such things as he has not heard nor learned from others, nor seen, but devised in his own heart. shall perish Shall be severely punished either by God or Men, and shall be confounded and silenced, because none will for the future regard or credit his testimony.: but the man that heareth He who hears before he speaks, and witnesseth nothing but what he has heard or seen, and knows to be true., speaketh constantly Does not contradict himself, but always affirmeth the same thing. Or, as most other Interpreters render the words, speaketh (or, may speak, dare speak freely and boldly) for ever, when lyars are cut off, he lives, and is in a capacity of speaking and bearing witness again and again, as occasion requires, as long as he lives, and his Testimony will be received..

A wicked man hardeneth his face Continueth in evil courses with obstinacy and impudence, in spight of all the Commands of God, or Counsels of Men.: but as for the upright, he directeth his way He ordereth his steps aright, and if at any time he goeth away, he does not add Rebellion to his sin, nor persist in his errour, but considereth his ways, and turneth his feet to Gods testimonies, as David did, Psal. 119. 59. Or, considereth his way, remembring with grief and shame what he has done, and taking better heed to himself for the future.

There is no wisdom, nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD Which can prevail against the Counsel and Will of God..

The horse Under which particular all warlike provisions are comprehended. is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD The success of the battle depends not upon any humane strength or art, but merely upon Gods Providence, who gives the victory when and to whom he pleaseth, and oft times to those that have least reason to expect it. Compare Eccl. 9. 11..