Pr 15:1-33.
1. soft -- tender or gentle.
turneth ... wrath -- from any one.
stir up -- as a smouldering fire is excited.
2. useth ... aright -- commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out -- utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.
3. beholding -- watching (compare Pr 5:21; Ps 66:7).
4. A wholesome tongue -- (Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life -- (Pr 3:18; 11:30).
perverseness therein -- cross, ill-natured language.
breach ... spirit -- (compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
5. (Compare Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18).
is prudent -- acts discreetly.
6. treasure -- implying utility.
trouble -- vexation and affliction.
7. (Compare Pr 10:20, 21).
heart ... not so -- not right, or vain.
8, 9. The sacrifice [and] prayer -- are acts of worship.
way ... followeth ... righteousness -- denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Ps 50:17; Isa 1:11.
10. (Compare Pr 10:17).
the way -- that in which God would have him to go (Pr 2:13; Ps 119:1).
11. Hell -- (Ps 16:10).
destruction -- or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.
12. (Compare Pr 9:8).
go unto the wise -- to be instructed.
13. maketh ... countenance -- or, "benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken -- and so the countenance is sad.
14. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).
15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil -- sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
16. trouble -- agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).
17. dinner -- or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30) --
of herbs -- and that the plainest.
and hatred -- (compare Pr 10:12, 18).
18. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32).
19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open] way -- literally, "a highway," by diligence (1Sa 10:7; Ps 1:3).
20. (Compare Pr 10:1).
21. walketh uprightly -- and so finds his joy (Pr 3:6; 10:23).
22. Without counsel -- or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.
24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pr 2:22; 12:7).
border -- or, "boundary for possessions" (Ps 78:54).
26. are pleasant words -- that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9).
27. (Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts -- or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Ps 15:5), and is not avaricious.
28. (Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
29. far ... wicked -- in His love and favor (Ps 22:11; 119:155).
30. light of the eyes -- (Pr 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so
good report -- or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; 53:1),
maketh ... fat -- or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
31, 32. (Compare Pr 10:17).
reproof of life -- which leads to life.
abideth ... wise -- is numbered among them.
32. refuseth -- or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pr 1:25; 4:15).
despiseth ... soul -- so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
33. The fear ... wisdom -- Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before ... humility -- (compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).