View Proverbs 16 in the note window.
1: From the Lord - Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well
without Divine assistance.
2: Weigheth - Exactly knows as men do the things which they weigh.
Spirits - The hearts of men.
3: Commit - Refer all thy actions and concerns to God, as the end of
them, and depend upon God's providence for success. Established - Thy
designs shall be brought to an happy issue.
4: Doth work - He orders or disposes. For - For his own glory; for
the discovery of his wisdom, power, goodness, truth, justice.
The wicked - Wilful and impenitent sinners. Men make themselves wicked,
and God therefore makes them miserable.
6: By mercy - By a merciful and just and faithful frame of heart and
course of life. Is purged - As they qualify a man to offer up acceptable
prayers to God for the pardon of his sins. By fear - By a filial reverence
unto God. Depart - They are kept from abusing pardoning mercy, and from
returning to folly or wickedness.
9: Deviseth - Proposes what he will do. Directeth - Over - rules and
disposes all his designs and actions.
10: A divine sentence - Great sagacity and piercing judgment.
Of the king - Of wise kings; who only are worthy of that name and office.
11: The Lord's - Are made by his direction and appointment, so that
no man can alter them without violating God's rights and authority.
15: A cloud - As acceptable as those clouds which bring the latter
rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened a little before the harvest.
17: The high - way - Their common road, in which they walk, tho'
through frailty or temptation they slip into the bypath of sin.
From evil - From the evil of sin, and consequently from the evil of
punishment. Keepeth - That takes heed to walk in that high - way.
20: Good - He who orders his affairs with discretion.
21: The wise - He who is truly wise, shall be so accounted by others.
Sweetness - Eloquence added to wisdom. Increaseth - Both in himself, for
while a man teaches others, he improves himself; and others, who by
this means are induced to hear and receive his instructions.
22: The instruction - Their most grave and serious counsels are
foolish.
23: Teacheth - Directs him what to speak, and keeps him from speaking
foolishly. Addeth - Enables him to speak learnedly and wisely.
27: Diggeth up - Prosecutes his evil designs with great industry.
His lips - His tongue is set on fire of hell.
30: Shutteth - That his thoughts may be more intent.
Moving - Which is the gesture of one whose thoughts are deeply engaged.
32: Is better - Of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more
valiant and victorious.
33: The lot - As the ancient practice was in deciding doubtful things.
The event of which though casual to men, is directed by God's providence.
