The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Ver. 27. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.] So said to be, both for the constant faithfulness, as never failing, and for the gracious effects - viz., blessings of all sorts. (1). Temporal; Pro 22:4 riches, honour, life. (2). Spiritual; Mal 4:2 such shall "grow up as the calves of the stall," fat and fair-liking. (3). Eternal; Psa 31:19 "O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee"; "eye hath not seen," &c. 1Co 2:9 It shall be always "well with them." Ecc 8:12 And though many afflictions, &c., yet he that feareth God "shall come out of them all." Ecc 7:18
To depart from the snares of death.] Satan, that mighty hunter, hath laid snares for us in all places. And the way of this world is like the vale of Siddim, slimy and slippery; full of slime pits and pitfails, snares and stumblingblocks, laid on purpose to maim us or mischief us. He that fears God comes off without hurt by remembering that saying - which, as short as it is, yet our memories are shorter - Cave, Deus videt; - Take heed; God seeth thee. A godly man had these verses written before him on a table in his study:
“Ne pecces, Deus ipse videt, tuus Angelus astat:
Accusat Satanas et lex, mens conscia culpae:
Mors incerta furit: cruciat te luridus Orcus:
Et manet aeternum tristi damnatio poena.”