Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.
Ver. 6. Faithful are the wounds of a friend.] And are therefore to be prayed for; "but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful," or to be detested, and therefore prayed against: so some read the words, and make the opposition. See this done by David. Psa 141:5 Knocks from "a righteous man" he would take for "kindnesses"; but the precious oils of the wicked - answerable to their kisses here - he would cry out of, as the "breaking of his head"; for so Mercer, Ainsworth, and others read that text, and the Septuagint accordeth, saying, Let not the oil of the sinner supple my head; by oil meaning flattering words, as Psalms 55:21. Reproofs and corrections, though sharp and unpleasant, yet if looked upon as issuing from that love that lies hid in the heart, they are faithful - that is, fair and pleasant, as the Chaldee interprets it.
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful,] i.e., His glossing and closing with us for a further mischief; such as were the kisses of Joab, Judas, Absalom, and Ahithophel are not to be fancied, but deprecated and detested. See Trapp on " Pro 26:23 " Theophrastus a hath in his character drawn out these kissing cut-throats, who can be affable to their enemies, and disguise their hatred in commendation, while they privately lay their snares: men Italianated, that can salute with mortal embracements, and clasp you in those arms which they mean to imbrue in your dearest blood. These treacherous kissers are of kin to that mad Haeket, hanged in Queen Elizabeth's days, who bit off his honest schoolmaster's nose as he embraced him, under colour of renewing their love, and ate it down before the poor man's face. b So, and no better, are the kisses, that is, the fawnings and flatteries, of perfidious persons.
a Cap. περι ειρηνειας .
b Camden's Elizabeth, Anno 1592.