CHAPTER 16

Proverbs 16:1-33 .

1. preparations--schemes.
in man--or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer . . . Lord--The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."

2. clean--or, "faultless."
weigheth--or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty ( Proverbs 21:2 , 24:12 ).

3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.

4. for himself--"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil ( Psalms 49:5 , Jeremiah 17:18 ); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.

5. (Compare Proverbs 3:32 ).

6. By mercy and truth--that is, God's ( Psalms 85:10 ); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged--expiated (as in Leviticus 16:33 , Isaiah 27:9 , Hebrew).

7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.

8. (Compare Proverbs 15:6 Proverbs 15:16 Proverbs 15:17 ).

9. (Compare Proverbs 16:3 ).
directeth--establisheth.

10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.

11. are the Lord's . . . his work--that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.

12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.

13. A specification of the general sentiment of Proverbs 16:12 .

14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death ( 1 Kings 2:25 ), can be appeased by the wise.

15. light of . . . countenance--favor ( Psalms 4:6 ).
life--preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain--fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable ( Deuteronomy 11:14 ).

16. (Compare Proverbs 3:16 , 4:5 ).

17. The highway--A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth--observes.

18, 19. (Compare Proverbs 15:33 ). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall--literally, "sliding."

19. divide the spoil--that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud ( James 4:6 ).

20. handleth a matter--wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Proverbs 13:13 ).
trusteth--(Compare Psalms 2:12 , Psalms 118:8 Psalms 118:9 ).

21. wise in heart--who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.

22. Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing ( Proverbs 13:14 ), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.

23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.

24. (Compare Proverbs 15:26 ). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.

25. (Compare Proverbs 14:2 ).

26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.

27. ungodly man--(Compare Proverbs 6:12 ).
diggeth up evil--labors for it.
in his lips . . . fire--His words are calumniating ( James 3:6 ).

28. (Compare Proverbs 6:14 , 10:31 ).
whisperer--prater, talebearer ( Proverbs 18:8 , 26:20 ).

29. violent man--or, "man of mischief" ( Proverbs 3:31 ).
enticeth--( Proverbs 1:10 ).

30. He shutteth his eyes--denoting deep thought ( Psalms 64:6 ).
moving his lips--or, "biting his lips"--a determined purpose ( Proverbs 6:13 ).

31. (Compare Proverbs 20:29 ).
if--or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Proverbs 3:16 , 4:10 , that piety is blessed with long life.

32. (Compare Proverbs 14:29 ).
taketh a city--that is, by fighting.

33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.