1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin. 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride. 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent! 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
1 The believer, perceiving that the Lord rules every heart as he sees fit, like the husbandman who turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, seeks to have his own heart, and the hearts of others, directed in his faith, fear, and love. #2|. We are partial in judging ourselves and our actions. #3|. Many deceive themselves with a conceit that outward devotions will excuse unrighteousness. #4|. Sin is the pride, the ambition, the glory, the joy, and the business of wicked men. #5|. The really diligent employ foresight as well as labour. #6|. While men seek wealth by unlawful practices, they seek death. #7|. Injustice will return upon the sinner, and will destroy him here and for ever. #8|. The way of mankind by nature is froward and strange. 9|. It is best to shun bitter contention by pouring out the heart before God. For by prudence and patience, with constant prayer, the cross may be removed. #10|. The evil desires of a wicked man's heart, lead to baseness in his conduct. #11|. The simple may be made wise by punishments on the wicked, and by instructions to those who are willing to be taught. #12|. Good men envy not the prosperity of evil-doers; they see there is a curse on them. #13|. Such as oppress the poor by beating down wages, such as will not relieve according to their ability those in distress, and those in authority who neglect to do justice, stop their ears at the cry of the poor. But doubtless care is to be used in the exercise of charity. #14|. If money can conquer the fury of the passions, shall reason, the fear of God, and the command of Christ, be too weak to bridle them? #15|. There is true pleasure only in the practice of religion. #16|. Of all wanderers in the ways of sin, those are in the most dangerous condition who turn aside into the ways of darkness. Yet there is hope even for them in the all-sufficient Saviour; but let them flee to him without delay. #17|. A life of worldly pleasure brings ruin on men. #18|. The righteous is often delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead, and so seems as a ransom for him. #19|. Unbridled passions spoil the comfort of all relations. #20|. The plenty obtained by prudence, industry, and frugality, is desirable. But the foolish misspend what they have upon their lusts. #21|. True repentance and faith will lead him that relies on the mercy of God in Christ, to follow after righteousness and mercy in his own conduct. #22|. Those that have wisdom, often do great things, even against those confident of their strength. #23|. It is our great concern to keep our souls from being entangled and disquieted. #24|. Pride and haughtiness make men passionate; such continually deal in wrath, as if it were their trade to be angry. #25,26|. Here is the misery of the slothful; their hands refuse to labour in an honest calling, by which they might get an honest livelihood; yet their hearts cease not to covet riches, pleasures, and honours, which cannot be obtained without labour. But the righteous and industrious have their desires satisfied. #27|. When holiness is pretended, but wickedness intended, that especially is an abomination. #28|. The doom of a false witness is certain. #29|. A wicked man bids defiance to the terrors of the law and the rebukes of Providence. But a good man asks, What does God require of me? #30,31|. Means are to be used, but, after all, our safety and salvation are only of the Lord. In our spiritual warfare we must arm ourselves with the whole armour of God; but our strength must be in the Lord, and in the power of his might.