Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8:1

DOth not] All that think rightly, must confesse, that wisedom reveals her self. Here Solomon himself begins again, as chap. 4. 4. and brings in Christ the eternall Word and Wisdom of God, speaking, John 1:1. 1 Corinthians 1:24.

wisedom cry?] Chap. 1. 20. Solomon declareth, that man is cause of his own perdition; and that he can pretend no ignorance, forasmuch as God calleth to all men aloud by his ministers in his Church, to walk in the ways of pietie.

Proverbs 8:2

in the top of high places] In the highest places, where she may best be heard. Teachers were wont to be placed higher then their and it ours, Nehemiah 8:4. Acts 22:3.

by the way] Where men commonly passe by, that she may be not heard of all men. Thus wisedom speaks openly, in the light, not caring who hear her; whereas, the harlot spake in darknes and corners, chap 7 9, 12.

Proverbs 8:3

She crieth] Heb. They cry, chap. 1. 20.

She crieth at the gates] Where the people resorted for justice, and which they passed thorow for commerce, Rth 4:1. Psalms 127:5. Jeremiah 17:19.

gates] Heb. hand, or side of the gates.

entry] Heb. mouth.

at the coming in at the doors] Where they must needs go in and out, upon all occasions.

Proverbs 8:4

O men] That is, great men, and mean, as psal. 49. 2. wisedom cries to all sorts.

Proverbs 8:6

I will speak of excellent things] Heb. princes: that is, words that do as much excell others, as princes do the people: or, words that all men ought to be guided by, as by princes. So we call the sentences of judges in times past, ruling-cases.

excellent things] Chap. 22. 20.

Proverbs 8:7

my mouth shall speak truth] There is nothing but truth in wisedoms speech; whereas, in the best mens sayings there may be errours, as water mixt with wine, and drosse with gold, psal. 12. 6. and 19. 10.

mouth] Heb. palate, chap. 5. 3.

wickednesse is an abomination to my lips] We must speak the truth, not for by-ends, but for love of it, which appears by our hatred of lying.

an abomination to my lips] Heb. the abomination of my lips.

Proverbs 8:8

froward] Heb. wreathed.

Proverbs 8:9

They are all plain] Heb. right before him: that is, obvious, and easie to be found.

to him that understandeth] If we erre, it is for want of sight, not for want of light.

Proverbs 8:10

and not silver] That is, rather then silver, Hosea 6:6.

Proverbs 8:11

For wisedom is better then rubies] Job 28:15. Psalms 19:10. Chap. 3. 15. and 16. 16.

Proverbs 8:12

I wisedom dwell with prudence] Except a man have wisedom, which is the true knowledge of Gods will, he can neither be prudent, nor a good counsellour.

prudence] Or, subtilty.

wity] Or, skilfull.

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil] He then that doth not hate evil, feareth not the LORD, chap. 16. 6. Genesis 20:11. Job 1:1. Psalms 97:10.

Proverbs 8:14

I have strength] I have power to bring my witty inventions to effect, v. 12. or, I give both policie and power.

Proverbs 8:15

By me kings reign] Rulers cannot rule justly, nor establish their authority, without wisedom: for from Christ they have their power, and wisedom to use it aright.

Proverbs 8:17

thse that seek me early shall finde me] That is, they that seek me in my word diligently, with a desire to profit by it, as students do, that rise betimes to get knowledge.

Proverbs 8:18

Rickes and honour are with me] Chap. 3. 16.

durable riches and righteousnesse] Signifying, that he chiefly meaneth the spirituall treasures, and heavenly riches, Hebrews 10:34.

Proverbs 8:19

My fruit is better then gold, yea, then fine gold] Chap. 3. 14.

Proverbs 8:20

lead] Or, walk: or, make to walk.

in the midst of the paths of judgement] For there can be no true justice or judgement, which is not directed by this wisedom.

Proverbs 8:21

and I will fll] Or, and fll.

Proverbs 8:22

before his works] This Wisedom is Christ the Son of God, who was before the world. See v. 1. John 1:1.

of old] Psalms 93:2. Heb. from then: that is, before his works made in the Creation, psal. 93. 2.

Proverbs 8:23

I was set up from everlasting] Christ was anointed King over the Church, by Gods decree, before the world was.

Proverbs 8:24

I was brought forth] He was begotten by the Father from eternitie.

Proverbs 8:26

fields] Or, open places.

nor the highest part of the dust of the world] Heb. the beginning of the dusts of the world: that is, before the matter of the earth was made.

the highest part] Or, the chief part.

Proverbs 8:27

When he prepared the heavens] Christ was with the Father in the creation of the world, when he made the heavens, girded in the sea, set the clouds fast above, and the fountains beneath.

a compasse] Or, a circle.

Proverbs 8:29

When he gave to the sea his decree] Gen. 1. 9, 10. Job 38. 10, 11. Psalms 104:9. The decree of the sea, to keep it always in its bounds.

Proverbs 8:30

as one brought up with him] As a childe with the father.

I was daily his delight] Heb. delights: that is, his greatest delight: for even when the world was in making, God the Father took more pleasure in his Son, then in his works.

rejoycing] Or, sporting. So v. 31.

rejoycing always before him] Heb. sporting greatly, as little ones do before their parents.

Proverbs 8:31

Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth] Heb. sporting greatly: so that the work of creation was no pain or labour, but a pleasure to the Son of God.

my delights were with the sons of men] Though he delighted in all the creatures, yet most of all in men; and came afterwards to dwell among them, John 1:14.

Proverbs 8:32

Now therefore hearken unto me] Seeing I am Eternall, and so dear to God, and count you as my children, hearken to my counsel, and ye shall be happie.

blessed are they that keep my ways] Psal. 119. 1, 2. and 128. 2. Luke 11:28.

Proverbs 8:34

Blessed is the man that heareth me] Chap. 3. 13, 18.

watching daily at my gates] No pains is too much to get wisedom.

waiting at the posts of my doors] Men must take instruction when God offers it; and, like scholars, attend their masters hours, v. 17.

Proverbs 8:35

obtain] Heb. bring forth.

Proverbs 8:36

all they that hate me, love death] Draw death on themselves, as if they loved it, and greedily seek their own ruine.