Westminster Annotations, Proverbs · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
Vers. 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.
V. 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, Psal. 36. 2. Isai. 5. 20.
the Lord weigheth the spirits] God weighs mens thoughts in an even balance, and mindes them too light, and their actions also, Dan. 5. 27.
V. 3. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established] Psal. 37. 5. and 55. 22. Matth. 6. 25. Luk. 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.
V. 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.
V. 5. Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomination to the Lord] Chap. 6. 17. and 8. 13.
unpunished] Heb. held innocent.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 8. Better is a little with righteousnesse, &c.] Psal. 37. 16. Chap. 15. 16. A little well gotten, is better then a great deal ill gotten, psal. 37. 16.
V. 9. A mans heart deviseth his way] Verse 1.
but the Lord directeth his steps] See Notes on v. 1.
V. 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.
V. 11. A just weight and balance are the Lords] Levit. 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.
V. 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickednesse] Wise kings hate injustice, knowing it will overthrow their thrones.
for] Or, but.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 16. How much better is it to get wisedom, then gold] Chap. 8. 11.
V. 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.
V. 19. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly] To be as lowly as men overcome in battell.
V. 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] Psal. 2. 12. and 34. 8. and 125. 1. Isa. 30. 18. Jer. 17. 7.
V. 21. the sweetnesse of the lips encreaseth learning] Wisedom joyned with eloquence, doth much good.
V. 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.
V. 23. teacheth] Heb. maketh wise.
and addeth learning to his lips] To himself, or others.
to] Or, by.
V. 24. Pleasant words are as an honey-comb] Chap. 12. 25.
sweet to the soul] Pleasant and profitable.
V. 25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man] Chap. 14. 12.
V. 26. He that laboureth] Heb. the soul of him that laboureth. eraveth it of him] Heb. boweth unto him.
V. 27. An ungodly man] Heb. A man of Belial, 2 Sam. 20. 1.
in his lips there is a burning fire] For he consumeth himself and others.
V. 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. Mic. 7. 5.
V. 29. leadeth him into the way that is not good] Either to undo him, or to make him joyn with him in undoing others.
V. 30. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things] With his whole endeavour he laboureth to bring his wickednesse to passe.
V. 31. if it be found in the way of righteousnesse] Old men that fear God ought to be reverenced, Levit. 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.
V. 32. He that is slowe to anger, is better then the mightie] Though the world despise patient men, yet God prefers them before conquerours.
V. 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.)