Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:1

THe preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord] Chap. 19. 21. and 20. 24. Jere. 10. 23. He derideth the presumption of man, who dare attribute to himself any thing, and yet can neither prepare his heart to speak, nor speak what he hath prepared, without Gods assistance: or, though man have never so well prepared himself, yet without God he cannot utter his conceptions: as verse 9.

preparations] Or, disposings.

in man, and] Or, are of man, but.

Proverbs 16:2

All the wayes of a man are clean in his own eyes] Chap. 21. 2. He sheweth hereby, that man flattereth himself in his doings, calling that vertue which God calleth vice, Psalms 36:2. Isaiah 5:20.

the Lord weigheth the spirits] God weighs mens thoughts in an even balance, and mindes them too light, and their actions also, Daniel 5:27.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established] Psalms 37:5. and Psalms 55:22. Matthew 6:25. Luke 12:22. 1 Pet. 5. 7.

Commit] Heb. Roll.

Commit thy works unto the Lord] Those things that are too hard for thee, trust God with them, as men use to lay their burdens on other mens shoulders, when they cannot bear them, and he will effect them according to thy intention.

Proverbs 16:4

The Lord hath made all things for himselfe] For his own glory.

yea even the wicked for the day of evil] Job 21:30. He bringeth wicked men daily into the world, in whose condemnation he intends to glorifie his justice: or, to be executioners of his wrath for the punishment of others.

Proverbs 16:5

Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomination to the Lord] Chap. 6. 17. and 8. 13.

unpunished] Heb. held innocent.

Proverbs 16:6

By mercy and truth iniquitie is purged, &c.] Or, Where mercy and truth is, iniquitie is purged; and where the fear of God shews it self, by departing from evil: that is, pietie is a sure token of remission of sins, and not sacrifices without it.

Proverbs 16:7

When a mans ways please the Lord] He that will enjoy the favour of men for good, must get God’s first, Job 5:23.

Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousnesse, &c.] Psalms 37:16. Chap. 15. 16. A little well gotten, is better then a great deal ill gotten, psal. 37. 16.

Proverbs 16:9

A mans heart deviseth his way] Verse 1.

but the Lord directeth his steps] See Notes on v. 1.

Proverbs 16:10

A divine sentence] Heb. devination.

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king] Of a godly and wise king: or rather, of Solomon himself, whose proverbs we ought therefore to attend unto, as to an unerring sentence of a judge on the bench.

Proverbs 16:11

A just weight and balance are the Lords] Leviticus 19:36. Chap. 11. 1.

all the weights] Heb. all the stones.

all the weights of the bag are his work] If they be true and just, they are Gods work, and he delighteth therein: but if they be false, they are the work of the devil, and serve to their condemnation that use them.

Proverbs 16:12

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickednesse] Wise kings hate injustice, knowing it will overthrow their thrones.

for] Or, but.

Proverbs 16:14

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death] Chap. 20. 2. That is, he findeth out many means to execute his wrath.

a wise man will pacifie it] For there is no resisting it.

Proverbs 16:15

In the light of the kings countenance is life] The kings cheerfull countenance rejoyceth the subjects, like sun-shine; and enricheth them, like the later reign.

his favour is as a cloud of the later rain] Chap. 19. 12.

Proverbs 16:16

How much better is it to get wisedom, then gold] Chap. 8. 11.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction] Chap. 11. 2. and 18. 12. Mens estates are like earthen-ware, the higher they are lifted, the greater is their fall and breaking. Pride makes many break in our days, chap. 17. 19.

Proverbs 16:19

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly] To be as lowly as men overcome in battell.

Proverbs 16:20

He that handleth a matter] Or, He that understandeth a matter.

He that handleth a matter wisely, shall finde good] Or, he that wisely understandeth the word; meaning, Gods word: else he means, That he that will bring his affairs to a good end, must have understanding in his businesse, and trust in God.

trusteth in the Lord, happie is he] Psalms 2:12. and Psalms 34:8. and Psalms 125:1. Isaiah 30:18. Jeremiah 17:7.

Proverbs 16:21

the sweetnesse of the lips encreaseth learning] Wisedom joyned with eloquence, doth much good.

Proverbs 16:22

Ʋnderstanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it] Chap. 13. 14.

him that hath it] Heb. the owners of it.

the instruction of fools is folly] Either that which the wicked teach others; or else, it is folly to teach wilfull fools.

Proverbs 16:23

teacheth] Heb. maketh wise.

and addeth learning to his lips] To himself, or others.

to] Or, by.

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are as an honey-comb] Chap. 12. 25.

sweet to the soul] Pleasant and profitable.

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man] Chap. 14. 12.

Proverbs 16:26

He that laboureth] Heb. the soul of him that laboureth. eraveth it of him] Heb. boweth unto him.

Proverbs 16:27

An ungodly man] Heb. A man of Belial, 2 Samuel 20:1.

in his lips there is a burning fire] For he consumeth himself and others.

Proverbs 16:28

A froward man soweth strife] Chap. 6. 14, 19. and 15. 18. and 26. 21. and 29. 22.

soweth] Heb. sendeth forth.

a whisperer separateth chief friends] Heb. a guide: One that is of our intimate counsell, psal. 55. 13. Micah 7:5.

Proverbs 16:29

leadeth him into the way that is not good] Either to undo him, or to make him joyn with him in undoing others.

Proverbs 16:30

He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things] With his whole endeavour he laboureth to bring his wickednesse to passe.

Proverbs 16:31

if it be found in the way of righteousnesse] Old men that fear God ought to be reverenced, Leviticus 19:32. Or, it is found: that is, God, for the most part, gives old age to righteous men, as a reward, psal. 91. 16.

Proverbs 16:32

He that is slowe to anger, is better then the mightie] Though the world despise patient men, yet God prefers them before conquerours.

Proverbs 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord] Men can but put the lots into the lap; afterwards God disposeth it as he will.

whole disposing] Or, every judgement (or, sentence.)