Proverbs 3:33-35 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The curse of the Lord is in the house, &c. Not only upon his own person, but upon his posterity, and upon all his domestic concerns. But he blesseth the habitation Hebrew, נוה, the cottage, or sheepcot, that is, the dwelling, however mean; of the just The blessing of God is upon him, his house and family, and all his concerns. Surely he scorneth the scorners He will expose to scorn and contempt all proud and insolent sinners, who make a mock at sin, (Proverbs 14:9,) and at God and religion, and who despise all counsels and means of amendment: for those that exalt themselves shall certainly be abased. But he giveth grace unto the lowly Namely, favour, both with himself and with men, as this phrase is often used. The LXX. render this verse, The Lord resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly; and St. Peter and St. James have quoted it according to them, 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6. The wise shall inherit glory Shall enjoy it, not only for a season, as wicked men often do, but as an inheritance, constantly and for ever; but shame shall be the promotion of fools Instead of that glory which they greedily seek, they shall meet with nothing but ignominy. The reading in the margin, Shame exalteth the fools, or, as some render the clause, The elevation of fools shall turn to their confusion, seems more agreeable to the Hebrew: that is, the more they have been elevated, “the more their folly shall be known, and their fall become more fatal.”