---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 264 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/264/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 264. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/264/"
---

# Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

*Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown*

The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation.

## 264. Proverbs · 14 of 27

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/264/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/264/#p-N

[¶0] 3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.

[¶1] 4. for himself--"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil ([Psa 49:5]; [Jr 17:18]); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.

[¶2] 5. (Compare [Pr 3:32]).

[¶3] 6. By mercy and truth--that is, God's ([Psa 85:10]); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.

[¶4] purged--expiated (as in [Le 16:33]; [Is 27:9], Hebrew).

[¶5] 7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.

[¶6] 8. (Compare [Pr 15:6], [16, 17]).

[¶7] 9. (Compare [Pr 16:3]).

[¶8] directeth--establisheth.

[¶9] 10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.

[¶10] 11. are the Lord's ... his work--that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.

[¶11] 12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.

[¶12] 13. A specification of the general sentiment of [Pr 16:12].

[¶13] 14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death ([1Ki 2:25]), can be appeased by the wise.

[¶14] 15. light of ... countenance--favor ([Psa 4:6]).

[¶15] life--preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.

[¶16] the latter rain--fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable ([De 11:14]).

[¶17] 16. (Compare [Pr 3:16]; ).

[¶18] 17. The highway--A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.

[¶19] keepeth--observes.

[¶20] 18-19. (Compare [Pr 15:33]). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence

[¶21] a fall--literally, "sliding."

[¶22] 20. handleth a matter--wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare [Pr 13:13]).

[¶23] trusteth--(Compare [Psa 2:12]; 118:8, 9).

[¶24] 21. wise in heart--who rightly consider duty.

[¶25] sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.

[¶26] 22. Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing ([Pr 13:14]), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.

[¶27] 23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.

[¶28] 24. (Compare [Pr 15:26]). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.

[¶29] 25. (Compare [Pr 14:2]).

[¶30] 26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.

[¶31] 27. ungodly man--(Compare [Pr 6:12]).

[¶32] diggeth up evil--labors for it.

[¶33] in his lips ... fire--His words are calumniating ([Jas 3:6]).

[¶34] 28. (Compare [Pr 6:14]; ).

[¶35] whisperer--prater, talebearer ([Pr 18:8]; ).

[¶36] 29. violent man--or, "man of mischief" ([Pr 3:31]).

[¶37] enticeth--([Pr 1:10]).

[¶38] 30. He shutteth his eyes--denoting deep thought ([Psa 64:6]).

[¶39] moving his lips--or, "biting his lips"--a determined purpose ([Pr 6:13]).

[¶40] 31. (Compare [Pr 20:29]).

[¶41] if--or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in [Pr 3:16]; , that piety is blessed with long life.

[¶42] 32. (Compare [Pr 14:29]).

[¶43] taketh a city--that is, by fighting.

[¶44] 33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.