Proverbs 4:1-27 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

In this chapter there are three addresses. The first is of the nature of personal testimony (verses Pro 4:1-9). The next two are exhortations to fidelity (verses Pro 4:10-27). The father urges his own experience. In verses Pro 4:3-9 he repeats what his father had said to him, and he declares (verses Pro 4:1-2) that it was good. This personal experience lends urgency to his exhortations to his son. Then, conscious of the temptations which ever beset the path of the young, the father urges the son to be obedient. Temptation must be avoided completely. Finally, the father contrasts the path of the righteous with that of the wicked. The former is like the dawn, which increases in brightness to high noon. The latter is like consistent darkness and constant stumbling.

Again, in a second address, fidelity is urged in terms which indicate the necessity for complete devotion. There must be attention, followed by intention. Wisdom in the heart, persistent looking straight ahead, and untiring caution are necessary to fidelity.

Related Commentaries of Proverbs 4:1

Proverbs 4:1-27

1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crowna of glory shall she deliver to thee.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and healthb to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a frowardc mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.