And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Ver. 3. And he shall be like a tree] An olive tree, say some, from Psalms 52:8, which is green all the year, saith Pliny; that in Noah's flood kept its greenness though it had been so long time under the water; and is, therefore, made an emblem of the resurrection. Others will have it to be the palm tree, from Psalms 92:12, which likewise is always green, and very fruitful. Plutarch saith that the Babylonians make three hundred and sixty commodities of it. The tree whereon the cocoa nuts grow in the Indies is said to be such as wherewith alone a ship may be built, and furnished to sea with food and merchandise. Let it be what tree it will that is here meant, if Plato could say that man is a tree inverted, with the root above and the branches below, and that he is φυτον ουρανιον, a heavenly plant, γεγενημενον εκ Dιος ερνος, as another hath it (Homer); much more may we say so of a godly man, that plant of renown, rooted in Christ, and fruited by the Spirit, of a right constitution and righteous conversation, Galatians 5:25. See Jer 17:8 Ezekiel 47:12 .
Planted by the rivers of water] In locis irriguis, in moist places, where most trees thrive best; understand it of those waters of the sanctuary, Ezekiel 47:12, together with those unfailing influences of grace and consolation that are in him, as a well of water bubbling up to eternal life, John 4:14 .
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season] There are no barren trees in God's orchard, and yet they may have their fits of barrenness, as an apple tree sometimes hath; but they will reflourish with advantage, as those Philippians did, Philippians 4:10 See Trapp on " Php 4:10 " and bear fruit in the right season, Nec praecocem nec serum. Now everything is beautiful in its season, Ecclesiastes 5:11, and it was no small shame to Ahithophel, when it was told him by Hushai, the Archite, Thy counsel is good, but not now, 2 Samuel 17:7 .
His leaf also shall not wither] Heb. fade, for want of sap or safety from Christ the root; but as the olive or palm tree, semper in suo genere viret vigetque, retaineth its green leaf, and hath for its motto Nec premor nec perimor; so doth the good soul persevere and persist in the profession and practice of the truth which is after godliness, Titus 1:1, maugre the malice of earth and of hell. Of Tylos, an Indian island, Pliny and Austin say, That no tree therein growing doth at any time of the year lose their leaves (Plin. l. 12, cap. 11. Aug. de C. D. lib. 21, cap. 5). Certain it is that saving faith cannot be lost altogether, though it may suffer some decays, Isaiah 6:13 .
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper] So Joshua 1:7,8. This and the like promises must be understood with an exception of the cross, as need requireth, 1 Peter 1:6. Gain, his prosperity, that of the soul I mean, he shall be sure of, Romans 8:28; Romans 8:37. Temporal also, so far as may make for his eternal good. Pintus, out of Pliny, tells us, that the palm tree will not grow well on rich ground, but in a light and sandy; and that if the soil be strong and fertile they must cast salt and ashes at the root to limit the fertility of the ground. As Christ is the true vine, so his Father is a good husbandman, and knoweth well how to order his trees of righteousness; but usually piety hath prosperity, and is profitable to all things, 1 Timothy 4:8. And outward prosperity, if it follow close walking with God, is very sweet; as the cipher, when it followeth the figure, addeth to the number, though it be nothing in itself.