3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.
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.
5. (Compare [Pr 3:32]).
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.
purged--expiated (as in [Le 16:33]; [Is 27:9], Hebrew).
7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.
8. (Compare [Pr 15:6], [16, 17]).
9. (Compare [Pr 16:3]).
directeth--establisheth.
10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.
11. are the Lord's ... his work--that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.
12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.
13. A specification of the general sentiment of [Pr 16:12].
14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death ([1Ki 2:25]), can be appeased by the wise.
15. light of ... countenance--favor ([Psa 4:6]).
life--preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain--fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable ([De 11:14]).
16. (Compare [Pr 3:16]; ).
17. The highway--A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth--observes.
18-19. (Compare [Pr 15:33]). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall--literally, "sliding."
20. handleth a matter--wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare [Pr 13:13]).
trusteth--(Compare [Psa 2:12]; 118:8, 9).
21. wise in heart--who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22. Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing ([Pr 13:14]), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24. (Compare [Pr 15:26]). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.
25. (Compare [Pr 14:2]).
26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.
27. ungodly man--(Compare [Pr 6:12]).
diggeth up evil--labors for it.
in his lips ... fire--His words are calumniating ([Jas 3:6]).
28. (Compare [Pr 6:14]; ).
whisperer--prater, talebearer ([Pr 18:8]; ).
29. violent man--or, "man of mischief" ([Pr 3:31]).
enticeth--([Pr 1:10]).
30. He shutteth his eyes--denoting deep thought ([Psa 64:6]).
moving his lips--or, "biting his lips"--a determined purpose ([Pr 6:13]).
31. (Compare [Pr 20:29]).
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.
32. (Compare [Pr 14:29]).
taketh a city--that is, by fighting.
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.