John Wesley Commentary on Proverbs Chapter 16

Proverbs, Chapter 16

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.

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