Proverbs 21:1-31 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

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Bible Comments

Proverbs 21:1. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; as the rivers of water, he turneth it whithersoever he will. The allusion is probably to the water-meads and the ditches in the corn fields, which irrigate the lands by a diversion of the streams. This doctrine asserts the providence of God over the nations, and over the church. God commissioned the king of Assyria to punish the Jews for idolatry. Isaiah 10:5. How remarkably was the heart of Cyrus, of Darius, and of Artaxerxes turned toward the poor and long-afflicted Jews in Babylon. How remarkably did the Lord turn the hearts of the Catholic kings to favour Luther, and other reformers. Surely the Lord is King of kings. Let Zion fear no more.

Proverbs 21:2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes. See on Proverbs 16:25.

Proverbs 21:4. The plowing of the wicked is sin. The LXX, λαμπτηε δε ασεβων αμαετια, Lucerna impiorum peccatum. The lamp of the wicked is sin. Hebrews נר nar or nair, designates both a yoke for the plow, and a lamp, as in 2 Samuel 22:29. “Thou art my lamp, oh Lord.” Also 1 Kings 11:36. “That David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem.” This reading harmonizes the sense of the verse. The high look, the proud heart, and the blaze of the wicked, in equipage and splendour, is sin in the sight of the Lord.

Proverbs 21:13. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, and, not be heard. See on Proverbs 19:17. Some men's sins are revealed and visited in the present world, others follow to judgment, where the Lord will exclude from his kingdom all the men devoid of charity. Matthew 25:42.

Proverbs 21:16. The man that wandereth, despising God and his law, shall be gathered to the congregation of the dead. Hebrew, the Rephaim or giants, as described in Genesis 6:4; Job 26:4-5. Those were the men that scoffed at the ark; that were cowards in death, piling rocks on the hills to gain a short reprieve from the deluge. The wicked who despise religion, and the backslider, who wandereth out of the way, would do well to consider what sort of company they are going to join. If the giants were intolerable neighbours on earth, what will they be in hell!

Proverbs 21:22. A wise man scaleth the city, though defended by warriors. So David, who could not take the strong city of Zion by war, took it by art; for wisdom is better than might. It is then the first duty, and the best wisdom of man, to seek true religion. Grace will conquer the strong man in the heart.

Proverbs 21:27. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord. So it proved to Balsam and Balak. God despised their seven altars, and sent the sword to destroy them. The prayers of the wicked are perfumed with the ill savour of their sin. He said to the Jews, Bring no more vain oblations to me: incense is an abomination. Wash you, make you clean; then come, and reason with me, saith the Lord.

Related Commentaries of Proverbs 21:1

Proverbs 21:1-31

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroya them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawlingb woman in a wide house.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth pleasurec shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proudd wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directethe his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safetyf is of the LORD.