Annotations on the Bible Volume 1
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities .
PSAL. CXXXI.
A song of degrees of David.
This Psalm seems to have been composed by David during Saul's persecution. When he was charged with boundless ambition, and a greedy affectation of the Royal Throne, and that he sought it by wicked practices against Saul's life and dignity. And for his own just vindication he is forced to publish his own integrity, and to declare that as the right 〈◊〉 the Kingdom was not sought or coveted by him, but freely conferred upon him by the unexpected and undesired favor of God, so that he had no thought or design to invade the Throne before his time, but was willing to stay God's leisure for it, and in the mean time was resolved to behave himself towards Saul as became a faithful Subject, seeking nothing but to preserve his own life from the rage of unrighteous and bloody men.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty , nor mine eyes lofty : neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me .
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother : my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD , from henceforth and forever.
PSAL. CXXXII.
A song of degrees.
The Penman of this Psalm was either, 1. David, when God had graciously declared his acceptance of David's desire to build an house for God, and his purpose of establishing the Kingdom to David and his seed forever: or, 2. Solomon, as may be gathered from the whole matter of the Psalm, which seems better to agree to him than to David, and particularly from v. 8, 9, 10. compared with 2 Chron. 6. 41, 42. where we have the same words with no great alteration.
1 LORD, remember David , and all his afflictions .
2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob .
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up to my bed .
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eye-lids:
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD , an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Loe, we have heard of it at Ephratah : we found it in the fields of the wood .
7 We will go into his tabernacles : we will worship at his footstool .
8 Arise , O LORD, into thy rest : thou, and the ark of thy strength .
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ▪ and let thy saints shout for joy .
10 For thy servant David's sake , turn not away the face of thine anointed .
11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it, Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them; their children also shall sit upon my throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion : he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest forever: here will I dwell , for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation : and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud : I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame : but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
PSAL. CXXXIII.
A song of degrees of David.
This Psalm was composed by David upon the happy occasion of the ending of the Civil Wars between the two Houses of Saul and David. In which having felt the sad effects of discord and division, both the King and People were more sensible of the great blessing of reconciliation and unity.
1 BEhold, how good and how pleasant it is , for brethren to dwell together in unity.
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard , that went down to the skirts of his garments.
3 As the dew of Hermon , and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion ; for there the LORD commandeth blessing , even life for evermore.
PSAL. CXXXIV.
A song of degrees.
The form of this Psalm seems to be dramatical. In the two first verses the Psalmist speaks in the name of some eminent person, either the King or Chief Priest, exhorting and requiring all the Priests and Levites to perform the duties of their place and calling; and in the last verse in the name of the Priests and Levites returning him thanks for his good advice.
1 BEhold, bless ye the LORD all ye servants of the LORD , which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary : and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion .
PSAL. CXXXV.
This Psalm contains an exhortation to all the Israelites, and especially to the Priests and Levites, to praise God for his great and wonderful works; some particulars whereof are here recorded.
1 PRaise ye the LORD, praise ye the name of the LORD, praise him, O ye servants of the LORD .
2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise ye the LORD, for the LORD is good : sing praises unto his name, for it is pleasant .
4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob for himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our LORD is above all gods .
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased , that did he in heaven and in earth , in the seas, and all deep places .
7 He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth , he maketh lightnings for the rain : he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries .
8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings.
11 Sihon king of the Amorite, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth forever, and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations .
14 For the LORD will judge his people , and he will repent himself concerning his servants .
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold , the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not.
17 They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusteth in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron.
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion , which dwelleth at Jerusalem . Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXXXVI.
The matter of this Psalm is the same with the former, only it is a little more fitted to the use and service of the Temple, by the continued repetition of that solemn clause, for thy mercy endures forever, which was much used by the sacred Singers. See 2 Chron. 7. 3. & 20. 21.
1 O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods : for his mercy endureth forever.
3 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth forever.
4 To him who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth forever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth forever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters : for his mercy endureth forever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth forever.
8 The sun to rule by day : for his mercy endureth forever.
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth forever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth forever.
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth forever.
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth forever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth forever.
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it : for his mercy endureth forever.
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth forever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness : for his mercy endureth forever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth forever.
18 And slew mighty kings: for his mercy endureth forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorite: for his mercy endureth forever.
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth forever.
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth forever.
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant : for his mercy endureth forever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth forever.
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth forever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh : for his mercy endureth forever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever.
PSAL. CXXXVII.
The Penman of this Psalm is uncertain: the occasion of it was unquestionably the consideration of the Babylonish Captivity: and it seems to have been composed either during the time of that Captivity, or presently after their deliverance out of it.
1 BY the rivers of Babylon , there we sat down , yea, we wept when we remembered Zion .
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows , in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they that wasted us, required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion .
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land ?
5 If I forget thee , O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning .
6 If I do not remember thee , let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ▪ if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy .
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom , in the day of Jerusalem; who said , Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon , who art to be destroyed . happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast served us .
9 Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones .
PSAL. CXXXVIII.
A Psalm of David.
This is a Psalm of thanksgiving to God for those great deliverances which he had granted to David from Saul and other enemies. By the remembrance whereof David encourageth himself to trust in God in all his future difficulties.
1 I Will praise thee with my whole heart, before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship towards thy holy temple , and praise thy Name, for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name .
3 In the day when I •… ried, thou answeredst me: and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul .
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth .
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD ; for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly ; but the proud he knoweth afar off .
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble , thou wilt revive me : thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies , and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me : thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever : forsake not the works of thine own hands .
PSAL. CXXXIX.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
This Psalm is esteemed by the Hebrews the most excellent in the whole Book. The matter of it is noble and sublime, and so is the style. The occasion of it seems to have been those heavy censures and reproaches wherewith David was loaded by his enemies, who branded him for a notorious 〈◊〉 and imp •… that pretended Religion only for the covering and promoting his own ambitious and wicked designs against his lawful King, whose li •… e and Crown he •… ought to take away. Against these he comforteth himself with the consideration of God's Omniscience, to whom he appeals as the only proper Judge of the integrity of his heart.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me .
2 Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising , thou understandest my thought afar off .
3 Thou compassest my path , and my lying down , and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether .
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before , and laid thine hand upon me .
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it .
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence .
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell , behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea .
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me .
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me▪ even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee .
13 For thou hast possessed my reins : thou hast covered me in my mothers womb.
14 I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ▪ marvelous are thy works , and that my soul knoweth right well .
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret ; and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth .
16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect , and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned , when as yet there was none of them .
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them !
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee .
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked , O God: depart from me therefore , ye bloody men .
20 For they speak against thee wickedly , and thine enemies take thy Name in vain .
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee ! and am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee ?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies .
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts .
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me , and lead me in the way everlasting .
PSAL. CXL.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
This Psalm was composed by David upon occasion of those slanderous and reproachful speeches and treacherous dealings which David had from his enemies, in Saul's time, of which we have an account in the history.
1 DEliver, me, O LORD, from the evil man : preserve me from the violent man.
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart: continually are they gathered together for war .
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent ; adders poison is under their lips.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked, preserve me from the violent man, who have purposed to overthrow my goings .
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords, they have spread a net by the way side : they have set grins for me. Selah.
6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked, further not his wicked device , lest they exalt themselves . Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them .
10 Let burning coals fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire: into deep pits, that they rise not up again .
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy Name , the upright shall dwell in thy presence .
PSAL. CXLI.
A Psalm of David.
This Psalm also must be referred to the time of David's persecution by Saul. It is an humble prayer that God would deliver him from the rage and malice of his enemies, and from those sins to which he might be inclined or provoked upon that occasion.
1 LORD, I cry unto thee, make haste unto me, give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense ; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice .
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth ; keep the door of my lips .
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity : and let me not eat of their dainties .
5 Let the righteous smite me , it shall be a kindness , and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil , which shall not break my head : for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities .
6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places , they shall hear my words, for they are sweet .
7 Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth , as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth .
8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust, leave not my soul destitute .
9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the grins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets , whilst that I withal escape.
PSAL. CXLII.
Maschil of David; a prayer when he was in the cave .
1 I Cried unto the LORD with my voice : with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him: I shown before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path : in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on my right hand , and beheld, but there was no man that would know me ; refuge failed me: no man cared for my soul .
5 I cried unto thee, O LORD, I said, Thou art my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living .
6 Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison , that I may praise thy Name: the righteous shall compass me about : for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
PSAL. CXLIII.
A Psalm of David.
This Psalm is much of the same nature with the form •… , and seems to have been composed much about the same time and upon the like occasion. This is the last of those which are called Penitential Psalms, the former being Psal. 6. & 32. & 38. & 51. & 102. & 130.
1 HEar my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me: and in thy righteousness .
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man living be justified .
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul , he hath smitten my life down to the ground : he hath made me to dwell in darkness , as those that have been long dead .
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me : my heart within me is desolate .
5 I remember the days of old , I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the works of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul thirsteth after thee , as a thirsty land . Selah.
7 Hear me speedily, O LORD, my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me , lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit .
8 Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning , for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk , for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me .
10 Teach me to do thy will , for thou art my God: thy spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness .
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy Names sake: for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
PSAL. CXLIV.
A Psalm of David.
The matter of this Psalm is partly gratulatory for mercies received, and partly petitionary for further blessings. It seems to have been composed after Saul's death, and in the beginning of David's reign, when he was exposed to many perils both from his own rebellious Subjects, and from the Philistines and other foreign enemies, yet so that he had a good prospect and assurance of a more complete and established felicity.
1 BLessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight .
2 My goodness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield, and he i •… whom I trust: who subdueth my people under me .
3 LORD, what is man , that thou takest knowledge of him ! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him ?
4 Man is like to vanity : his days are as a shadow that passeth away .
5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down : touch the mountains, and they shall smoke .
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows , and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above, rid▪me, and deliver me out of great waters: from the hand of strange children .
8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity : and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood .
9 I will sing a new song unto thee , O God: upon a psaltery, and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings : who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children ; whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth ; that our daughters may be as corner-stones polished after the similitude of a palace .
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands, and ten thousands in our streets .
14 That our oxen may be strong to labor : that there be no breaking in , nor going out : that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD .
PSAL. CXLV.
David's Psalm of praise.
This Psalm and the rest which follow to the end are wholly laudatory, setting forth the praises of God. The excellency of this Psalm appears not only from the opinion of the Hebrew Writers, but also from the care which the Psalmist took to digest it into such accurate and Alphabetical order, that it migh •… be more easily fixed in the mind and memory of the reader.
1 I Will extol thee my God O King , and I will bless thy Name forever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy Name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise thy works to another , and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty , and of thy wondrous works.
6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness , and shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9 The LORD is good to all : and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All thy works shall praise thee , O LORD, and thy saints shall bless thee.
11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.
12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee : and thou givest them their meat in due season .
16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing .
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth .
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy .
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy Name forever and ever.
PSAL. CXLVI.
The design of this Psalm is to persuade men to trust in God, and in him alone.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God, while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes , nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help .
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth : in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help; whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6 Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever :
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed, which giveth food to the hungry: the LORD looseth the prisoners.
8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind , the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down, the LORD loveth the righteous .
9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down .
10 The LORD shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXLVII.
This Psalm may seem from v. 2. & 13. to have been composed by some holy Prophet after the return of Israel from the Babylonish Captivity. It containeth an ample celebration of God's praises both for common mercies, and for special favors.
1 PRaise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem : he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart , and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars : he calleth them all by their names .
5 Great is our LORD, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving: sing praises upon the harp unto our God.
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man .
11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy .
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates : he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14 He maketh peace in thy borders , and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly .
16 He giveth snow like wool : he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes .
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold ?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow .
19 He showeth his word unto Jacob , his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation : and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXLVIII.
The nature of this Psalm is for substance the same with the former, containing an invitation to all the creatures to praise God for his manifold blessings.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens ; praise him in the heights .
2 Praise ye him all his Angels : praise ye him all his hosts .
3 Praise ye him sun and moon : praise him all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him ye heavens of heavens , and ye waters that be above the heavens .
5. Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created .
6 He hath also established them forever and ever : he hath made a decree which shall not pass .
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps.
8 Fire and hail, snow and vapor , stormy wind fulfilling his word .
9 Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars .
10 Beasts and all cattle, creeping things, and flying fowl.
11 Kings of the earth , and all people: princes, and all judges of the earth.
12 Both young men and maidens, old men and children.
13 Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for his Name alone is excellent, his glory is above the earth and heaven .
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people , the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him . Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXLIX.
The scope and design of this Psalm is to stir up and encourage God's people to praise him, either 1. for their deliverance out of Babylon, and the promises which God had given them of the perfection of that work and of the enlargement of their power and dominion in the world: or rather, 2. for the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel in David's hands, and for that safety and glory and victory over their enemies which they expected by that means. But withal, the Psalmist, or the Spirit of God which dictated this Psalm to him, had a further prospect, even to the Messiah, of whom David was a Type, and who was to succeed David in the Throne, and to bring that Kingdom to its highest perfection. And so divers of the Jewish Doctors understand this Psalm.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song : and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him : let the children of Zion be joyful in their king .
3 Let them praise his Name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp .
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people : he will beautify the meek with salvation .
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory : let them sing aloud upon their beds .
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth , and a two-edged sword in their hand ▪
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen , and punishments upon the people.
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron .
9 To execute upon them the judgment written : this honor have all his saints . Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CL.
This Psalm agrees much with the former; and is an invitation to all men to praise God, and especially to the Levites, or those of them who were appointed to this work, as may be gathered both from the place in which they are to praise him, which is, according to our Translation, in his Sanctuary, v. 1. and from that great variety of instruments here mentioned, all which were frequently used in their Temple-service, and seldom elsewhere.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary : praise him in the firmament of his power .
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness .
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that hath breath , praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
PROVERBS.
THe Penman of this Book is expressed in the Title, Solomon, who was famous for his Proverbs, of which he spake Three Thousand, as it is recorded, 1 King. 4. 32. the most eminent and useful of them being doubtless collected in this Book. And that the greatest part of this Book was composed by Solomon doth sufficiently appear because that part of it which was collected and composed by other hands is so plainly distinguished from the foregoing part, Ch. 25. 1. The Nine first Chapters contain a Preface or Introduction to the Book, or an Exhortation to true Wisdom; and all the following Chapters contain the Precepts of Wisdom called Proverbs. Wherein we are not to expect that order and coherence which is in many other Books of Scripture.
CHAP. I.
1. THe proverbs of Solomon , the son of David, king of Israel.
2. To know wisdom and instruction , to perceive the words of understanding .
3. To receive the instruction of wisdom , justice, and judgment, and equity .
4. To give subtlety to the simple , to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5. A wise man will hear , and will increase learning : and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels .
6. To understand a proverb and the interpretation ; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings .
7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction .
8. My son , hear the instruction of thy father , and forsake not the law of thy mother .
9. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck .
10. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11. If they say, come with us , let us lay wait for blood , let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause :
12. Let us swallow them up alive as the grave , and whole, as those that go down into the pit .
13. We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil .
14 Cast in thy lot among us , let us all have one purse :
15. My Son , walk not thou in the way with them ; refrain thy foot from their path .
16. For their feet run to evil , and make hast to shed blood .
17. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird .
18. And they lay wait for their own blood x; they lurk privily for their lives.
19. So are the ways of everyone that is greedy of gain : which taketh away the lives of the owners thereof .
20. Wisdom crieth without she uttereth her voice in the streets;
21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse , in the opening of the gates : in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity ? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23. Turn ye at my reproof : behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you .
24. Because I have called , and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand , and no man regarded ;
25. But ye have set at naught all my counsel , and would none of my reproof:
26. I also will laugh at your calamity : I will mock when your fear cometh;
27. When your fear cometh as desolation , and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind ; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early , but they shall not find me .
29. For that they hated knowledge , and did not choose the fear of the LORD.
30. They would none of my counsel : they despised all my reproof.
31. Therefore * shall they eat of the fruit of their own way c, and be filled with their own devices .
32. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them .
33. But whoso hearkeneth unto me, shall dwell safely , and shall be quiet from fear of evil .
CHAP. II.
1. MY son , if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee ;
2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding :
3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding.
4. If thou seekest her as Silver, and searchest for her, as for hid treasures :
5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD , and find the knowledge of God.
6. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8. He keepeth the paths of judgment , and preserveth the way of his Saints .
9. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity , yea, every good path .
10. When wisdom entereth into thine heart , and knowledge is pleasant unto thy Soul;
11. Discretion shall preserve thee , understanding shall keep thee:
12. To deliver thee from the way of the evil man , from the man that speaketh froward things .
13. Who leave the paths of uprightness , to walk in the ways of darkness :
14. Who rejoice to do evil , and delight in the frowardness of the wicked .
15. Whose ways are crooked , and they froward in their paths.
16. To deliver thee from the strange woman , even from the stranger which flattereth with her words .
17. Which forsaketh the guide of her youth , and forgetteth the covenant of her God .
18. For her house inclineth unto death , and her paths unto the dead .
19. None that go unto her , return again , neither take they hold of the paths of life .
20. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men , and keep the path of the righteous.
21. For the upright shall dwell in the land , and the perfect shall remain in it.
22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
CHAP. III.
1. MY son, forget not my law ; but let thine heart keep my commandments :
2. For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee .
3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck , write them upon the table of thme heart .
4. So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding .
6. In all thy ways acknowledge him , and he shall direct thy paths .
7. Be not wise in thine own eyes : fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8. It shall be health to thy navel , and marrow to thy bones.
9. Honor the LORD with thy substance , and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.
10. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty , and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD: neither be weary of his correction .
12. For whom the LORD loveth, he correcteth , even as a Father the son, in whom he delighteth.
13. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold .
15. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire, are not to be compared unto her .
16. Length of days is in her right hand: and in her left hand riches and honor .
17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness , and all her paths are peace .
18. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her ; and happy is everyone that retaineth her .
19. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth , by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20. By his knowledge the depths are broken up , and the clouds drop down the dew .
21. My son, let them not depart from thine eyes : keep sound wisdom and discretion.
22. So shall they be life unto thy soul , and grace to thy neck .
23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely ▪ and thy foot shall not stumble .
24. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet .
25. Be not afraid of sudden fear , neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh.
26. For the LORD shall be thy confidence , and shall keep thy foot from being taken .
27. With-hold not good from them to whom it is due , when it is in the power of thine hand to do it .
28. Say not unto thy neighbor , Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give : when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee .
30. Strive not with a man without cause , if he have done thee no harm .
31. Envy thou not the oppressor , and choose none of his ways .
32. For the froward is abomination to the LORD : but his secret is with the righteous .
33. The Curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked : but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34. Surely he scorneth the scorners : but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35. The wise shall inherit glory , but shame shall be the promotion of fools .
CHAP. IV.
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 fathers 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 honor , when thou dost embrace her.
9. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace : a crown 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 health 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 froward mouth , and perverse lips put far from thee.
25. Let thine Eyes look right on , and let thine eye-lids 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.
CHAP. V.
1. MY son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding.
2. That thou mayest regard discretion , and that thy lips may keep knowledge .
3. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honey-comb , and her mouth is smoother than
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood , sharp as a two-edged Sword.
5. Her feet go down to death: her steps take hold on hell.
6. Lest thou shouldst ponder the path of life , her ways are moveable , that thou canst not know them .
7. Hear me now therefore, O ye Children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her House .
9. Lest thou give thine honor unto others , and thy years unto the cruel .
10. Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth, and thy labors be in the house of a stranger,
11. And thou mourn at the last , when thy flesh, and thy body are consumed ,
12. And say, how have I hated instruction , and my heart despised reproof !
13. And have not obeyed the voice of my Teachers , nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me.
14. I was almost in all evil , in the midst of the congregation and Assembly b.
15. Drink Waters out of thine own cistern; and running waters out of thine own well .
16. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad , and rivers of Waters in the streets.
17. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers with thee .
18. Let thy fountain be blessed : and rejoice with the wife of thy youth .
19. Let her be as the loving hind , and pleasant roe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times , and be thou ravished always with her love.
20. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange Woman , and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21. For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD , and he pondereth all his goings .
22. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins .
23. He shall die without instruction , and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray .
CHAP. VI.
1. MY son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger :
2. Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend , go, humble thyself , and make sure thy friend.
4. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eye-lids .
5. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the Hunter , and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6. Go to the ant , thou sluggard, consider her ways , and be wise:
7. Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler ,
8. Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest .
9. How long wilt thou sleep , O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber , a little folding of the hands to sleep.
11. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth , and thy want as an armed man .
12. A naughty person, a wicked man walketh with a froward mouth .
13. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers .
14. Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually, he soweth discord .
15. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly: suddenly shall he be broken without remedy .
16. These six things doth the LORD hate ; yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17. Aproud look , a lying tongue , and hands that shed innocent blood.
18. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations , feet that be swift in running to mischief .
19. A false witness that speaketh lies , and him that soweth Discord among brethren .
20. My son, keep thy fathers commandment , and forsake not the law of thy mother .
21. Bind them continually upon thine heart , and tie them about thy neck .
22. When thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee: and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee .
23. For the commandment is a lamp ; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way to life :
24. To keep thee from the evil woman , from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart ; neither let her take thee with her eye-lids .
26. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread : and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life .
27. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his cloths not be burnt ?
28. Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt;
29. So he that goeth in to his neighbors wife : whosoever toucheth her , shall not be innocent .
30. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his Soul when he is hungry:
31. But if he be found, he shall restore seven-fold , he shall give all the substance of his house.
32. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding : he that doth it, destroyeth his own soul .
33. A wound and dishonor shall he get, and his reproach shall not be wiped away .
34. For jealousy is the rage of a man ; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance .
35. He will not regard any ransom: neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts .
CHAP. VII.
1. MY Son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2. Keep my commandments, and live : and my law as the apple of thine eye .
3. Bind them upon thy fingers , write them upon the table of thine heart .
4. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman :
5. That they may keep thee from the strange woman from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement ,
7. And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.
8. Passing through the street near her corner , and he went the way to her house .
9. In the twilight in the evening , in the black, and dark-night :
10. And behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot , and subtle of heart.
11. She is loud and stubborn , her feet abide not in her house .
12. Now is she without , now in the streets , and lieth in wait at every corner .
13. So she caught him and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14. I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows .
15. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face , and I have found thee .
16. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt .
17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18. Come, let us take our fill of loves until the morning, let us solace ourselves with loves.
19. For the good-man is not at home, he is gone a long journey;
20. He hath taken a bag of money with him , and will come home at the the day appointed .
21. With much fair speech she caused him to yield , with the flattering of her lips she forced him .
22. He goeth after her straightway , as an ox to the slaughter , or as a fool to the correction of the stocks ▪
23. Till a dart strike through his liver , as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24. Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25. Let not thine heart decline to her ways , go not astray in her paths.
26. For she hath cast down many wounded, yea many strong men have been slain by her.
27. Her house is the way to hell , going down to the chambers of death.
CHAP. VIII.
1. DOth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice !
2. She standeth in the top of high places : by the way in the places of the paths .
3. She crieth at the gates , at the entry of the City , at the coming in at the doors .
4. Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men .
5. O ye simple , understand wisdom; and ye fools , be ye of an understanding heart.
6. Hear, for I will speak of excellent things ; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7. For my mouth shall speak truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips .
8. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing froward or perverse in them .
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth , and right to them that find knowledge .
10. Receive my instruction, and not silver ; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired, are not to be compared to it.
12. I wisdom dwell with prudence , and find out knowledge of witty inventions .
13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil ; pride and arrogancy, and the evil way , and the froward mouth do I hate.
14. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom : I am understanding , I have strength .
15. By me kings reign , and princes decree justice .
16. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17. I love them that love me , and those that seek me early shall find me.
18. Riches and honor are with me: yea, durable riches and righteousness .
19. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment .
21. That I may cause those that love me, to inherit substance : and I will fill their treasures.
22. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way , before his works of old.
23. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning , or ever the earth was.
24. When there were no depths , I was brought forth : when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25. Before the mountains were settled ; before the hills, was I brought forth.
26. While as yet he had not made the earth i, nor the fields , nor the highest part of the dust of the world .
27. When he prepared the heavens, I was there : when he set a compass upon the face of the depth :
28. When he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep :
29. When he gave to the sea his decree , that the waters should not pass his commandment : when he appointed the foundations of the earth .
30. Then I was by him , as one brought up with him : and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him :
31. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth , and my delights were with the sons of men .
32. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not .
34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors .
35. For who so findeth me, findeth i life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.
36. But he that sinneth against me , wrongeth his own soul : all they that hate me , love death .
CHAP. IX.
1. WIsdom hath built her house : she hath hewn out her seven pillars .
2. She hath killed her beasts ; she hath mingled her wine ; she hath also furnished her table .
3. She hath sent forth her maidens , she crieth upon the highest places of the city:
4. Whoso is simple , let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding , she saith to him,
5. Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine, which I have mingled.
6. Forsake the foolish , and live: and go in the way of understanding .
7. He that reproveth a •… scorner , getteth to himself shame : and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot .
8 Reprove not a scorner , lest he hate thee : rebake a wise man , and he will love thee .
9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser, teach a just man , and he will increase in learning.
10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding .
11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied: and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it .
13. A foolish woman is clamorous , she is simple and knoweth nothing .
14. For she sitteth at the door of her house on a seat, in the high places of the city.
15. To call passengers, who go right on their ways :
16. Whoso is simple , let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17. Stolen waters are sweet , and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
CHAP. X.
1. THe proverbs of Solomon . * A wise son maketh a glad father : but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother .
2. Treasures of Wickedness profit nothing : but righteousness delivereth from death .
3. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish : but he casteth away the substance of the wicked .
4 He becometh poor, that dealeth with a slack hand : but the hand of the diligent maketh rich .
5. He that gathereth in summer , is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame .
6. Blessings are upon the head of the just : but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked .
7. The memory of the just is blessed : but the name of the wicked shall rot .
8. The wise in heart will receive commandments : but a prating fool shall fall .
9. He that walketh uprightly , walketh surely : but he that perverteth his ways shall be known .
10. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow : but a prating fool shall fall.
11. The mouth of a righteous man is a Well of life : but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked .
12. Hatred stirreth up strifes : but love covereth all sins .
13. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found : but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding .
14. Wise men lay up knowledge : but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction .
15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city : the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16. The labor of the righteous tendeth to life : the fruit of the wicked to sin .
17. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction : but he that refuseth reproof, erreth c.
18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips , and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin : but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver : the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21. The lips of the righteous feed many : but fools die for want of Wisdom .
22. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich , and he addeth no sorrow with it .
23. It is as a sport to a fool to do mischief : but a man of understanding hath wisdom .
24. The fear of the wicked it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted .
25. As the whirlwind passeth , so is the wicked no more : but the righteous is an everlasting foundation .
26. As vinegar to the teeth x, and as smoke to the eyes: so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27. The fear of the LORD prolongeth days ; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness : but the expectation of the wicked shall perish .
29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright, but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30. The righteous shall never be removed : but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth .
31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom : but the froward tongue shall be cut out .
32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable : but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
CHAP. XI.
1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD : but a just weight is his delight.
2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame : but with the lowly is Wisdom .
3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them : but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them .
4. Riches profit not in the day of Wrath : but righteousness delivereth from death .
5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way : but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them : but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7. When a wicked man dieth his expectation shall perish : and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead .
9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered .
10. When it goeth well with the righteous , the city rejoiceth : and when the wicked perish, there is shouting .
11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked .
12. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor : but a man of understanding holdeth his peace .
13. A tale-bearer revealeth secrets : but he that is of a faithful Spirit concealeth the matter .
14▪ Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15. He that is surety for a stranger , shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship , is sure.
16. A gracious woman retaineth honor : and strong men retain riches.
17. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul : but he that is cruel , troubleth his own flesh .
18. The wicked worketh a deceitful work : but to him that soweth righteousness , shall be a sure reward.
19. As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil , pursueth it to his own death.
20. They that are of a froward heart , are abomination to the LORD , but such as are upright in their way , are his delight.
21. Though hand join in hand , the wicked shall not be unpunished : but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered .
22. As▪ a jewel of gold in a swine's snout , so is a fair woman which is without discretion .
23. The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24. There is that scattereth , and yet increaseth ; and there is that witholdeth more than is meet : but it tendeth to poverty .
25. The liberal soul shall be made fat : and he that watereth shall be watered also himself .
26. * He that with-holdeth corn , the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that •… elleth it .
27. He that diligently seeketh good, procureth favor : but he that seeketh mischief it shall come unto him .
28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall : but the righteous shall flourish as a branch .
29. He that troubleth his own house , shall inherit the wind : and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart .
30. The fruit of the righteous is▪ a tree of life and he that winneth souls , is wise .
31. Behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the Earth : much more the wicked and the sinner .
CHAP. XII.
1. WHoso loveth instruction , loveth knowledge : but he that hateth reproof, is brutish .
2. A good man obtaineth favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn .
3. A man shall not be established by wickedness : but the root of the righteous shall not be moved .
4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed , is as rottenness in his bones .
5. The thoughts of the righteous are right : but the counsels of the wicked are deceit .
6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood : but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them .
7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not : but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom : but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised .
9. He that is despised and hath a servant , is better than he that honoreth himself , and lacketh bread ▪
10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast : but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding .
12. The wicked desireth the net of evil men : but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit .
13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips : but the just shall come out of trouble .
14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth , and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him .
15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes : but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16. A fools wrath is presently known : but a prudent man covereth shame .
17. He that speaketh truth , showeth forth righteousness , but a false witness deceit .
18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword : but the tongue of the wise is health .
19. The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22. Lying lips are an a bomination to the LORD, but they that deal truly are his delight.
23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge : but the heart of Fools proclaimeth foolishness .
24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule : but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop, but a good word maketh it glad.
26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor : but the way of the wicked seduceth them .
27. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting : but the substance of a diligent man is precious .
28. In the way of righteousness is life, and in the path-way thereof there is no death .
CHAP. XIII.
1. A Wise son heareth his fathers instruction : but a scorner heareth not rebuke .
2. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth : but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence .
3. He that keepeth his mouth , keepeth his life : but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction .
4. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing : but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat .
5. A righteous man hateth lying : but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame .
6. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner .
7. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing , there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great Riches .
8. The ransom of a man's life are his Riches, but the poor heareth not rebuke .
9. The light of the righteous rejoiceth , but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out .
10. Only by pride cometh contention , but with the well-advised is wisdom .
11. Wealth gotten by vanity , shall be diminished , but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.
12. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desi •… e cometh, it is a tree of life .
13. Whoso despiseth the word , shall be destroyed , but he that feareth the commandment , shall be rewarded.
14. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15. Good understanding giveth favor , but the way of transgressors is hard .
16. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge , but a fool layeth open his folly .
17. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief , but a faithful ambassador is health .
18. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction , but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored .
19. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul , but it is an abomination to fools, to depart from evil.
20. He that walketh with wise men, shall be wise , but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21. Evil pursueth sinners , but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
22. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just .
23. Much food is in the tillage of the poor , but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment .
24. He that spareth his rod , hateth his son : but he that loveth him, chasteneth him betimes.
25. The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul , but the belly of the wicked shall want.
CHAP. XIV.
1 EVery wise woman buildeth her house , but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands .
2 He that walketh in his uprightness , feareth the LORD , but he that is perverse in his ways, despiseth him .
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride , but the lips of the wise shall preserve them .
4 Where no Oxen are, the crib is clean : but much increase is by the strength of the ox .
5 A faithful witness will not lie , but a false witness will utter lies .
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not , but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth .
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man , when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge .
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way , but the folly of fools is deceit .
9 Fools make a mock at sin , but among the righteous there is favor .
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness , and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy .
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tabernacle of the upright shall prosper.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man , but the end thereof is the ways of death .
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness .
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways , and a good man shall be satisfied from himself .
15 The simple believeth every word , but the prudent man looketh well to his going .
16 A wise man feareth , and departeth from evil , but the fool rageth and is confident .
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly , and a man of wicked devices is hated .
18 The simple inherit folly , but the prudent are crowned with knowledge .
19 The evil bow before the good , and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbor , but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiset his neighbor , sinneth : but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he .
22 Do they not err that devised evil ? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good .
23 In all labor there is profit, but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury .
24 The crown of the wise is their riches : but the foolishness of fools is folly .
25 A true witness delivereth Souls , but a deceitful witness speaketh lies .
26. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence ; and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death .
28. In the multitude of people is the kings honor , but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding ▪ but he that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the lise of the flesh ; but envy the rottenness of the bones .
31 He that oppresseth the poor , reproacheth his maker : but he that honoreth him , hath mercy on the poor .
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness : but the righteous hath hope in his death .
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding, but that which is in the midst of fools is made known n.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation , but sin is a reproach to any people .
35 The kings favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him that causeth shame .
CHAP. XV.
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger .
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright , but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life , but perverseness therein is a breach of the Spirit .
5 A fool despiseth his fathers instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble .
7 The Lips of the wise disperse knowledge , but the heart of the foolish doth not so .
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD, but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness .
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way , and he that hateth reproof shall die .
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD, how much more then the hearts of the children of men.
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the wise .
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful Countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge, but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness .
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil , but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast .
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD , than great treasure, and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled Ox, and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife , but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns : but the way of the righteous is made plain .
20 A wise son maketh a glad father , but a foolish man despiseth his mother .
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly .
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed , but in the multitude of counsellors they are estab lished .
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season , how good is it !
24 The way of life is above to the wise , that he may depart from hell beneath .
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud , but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house , but he that hateth gifts shall live .
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer : but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things .
29 The LORD is far from the wicked , but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the Eyes rejoiceth the heart : and a good report maketh the bones fat .
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life , abideth among the wise .
32 He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul , but he that heareth reproof, getteth understanding .
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom , and before honor is humility .