Matthew Poole and continuators on Proverbs 15

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger .

Mild or gentle.

Which may imply a foregoing charge or accusation, although the word is and may be rendred, speech or discourse.

From the speaker.

Fierce and vexatious Replies or Speeches.

Kindle it, and cause it to flame forth.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. 15.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledg aright , but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully, taking due care both what, and when, and to whom, and in what manner he speaks.

Plentifully, continually, promiscuously, and vehemently as a Fountain doth Waters, as this word signifies.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word] 12. 23. [illegible: 1 word]. 16.; [illegible: 1 span]

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

His Knowledg and Providence.

Who are first mentioned because they either doubt of, or deny Gods Providence.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 3[illegible: 1+ letters]. 21. [illegible: 1 word] 5▪ 21. [illegible: 1 word]. 16. 17. [illegible: 1 word]. 1[illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 13.

4 A wholsom tongue is a tree of life , but perverseness therein is a breach of the Spirit .

Which [illegible: 1+ letters]ereth sound, and comfortable, and useful Counsels.

Is greatly useful to preserve the present Life, and to promote the Spiritual and Eternal Life, both of the Speaker and Hearers.

All sorts of false or corrupt Speeches.

Disturbs and wounds, and oft-times corrupts and destroys the Spirits or Souls both of the Speaker and Hearers.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

5 A fool despiseth his fathers instruction, but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Doth not regard nor obey it, which is an evidence of contempt.

Who hath both Love to him, and Authority over him; which greatly aggravates his Folly.

The reproof of any person whatsoever, and much more of a Father.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 10. 1. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 18. [illegible: 1 word]. 21. 32.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble .

Or, Family. Whereby he implies that it is not only enjoyed by him, but also left to his posterity.

Though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble & vexation, either because they are strangely blasted and taken from them, or because they are imbittered to them by their own insatiable desires, or tormenting cares and fears, or the horrours of their guilty Consciences, or by divers other ways.

7 The Lips of the wise disperse knowledge , but the heart of the foolish doth not so .

Freely communicate to others what they know, as they have opportunity.

Either because he hath no knowledg to disperse, or because he hath not an heart to perform his duty, or to do good to others. Or, as others render it, and as the last Hebrew word is rendred, Gen. 42. 34. and elsewhere, is not right; or, the place may be rendred, the heart of foolish (understand out of the former clause, as is very usual, disperseth by his Lips) that which is not right, foolish and corrupt discourse, which is fitly opposed to knowledg.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

All the religious services, yea, the best and most costly of them; one kind being put for all the rest.

The cheapest and meanest services.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span].

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD, but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness .

The Conversation or Course of Life. This verse seems to contain a reason of the foregoing. God hates wicked mens religious Performances, because they are accompanied with ungodly Lives, and they pull down with one hand what they build with another.

That earnestly desires, and constantly and diligently endeavours to be holy and righteous in the course of his Life, although he doth not attain to that perfect Righteousness which he thirsts after.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way , and he that hateth reproof shall die .

He hateth Reproof, because it is a reproach to him, and because it strikes at that sin which he loveth.

Gods way, emphatically called the way here, as also Psal. 119. 1. & 139. 24. Prov. 2. 13.

i. e. Be destroyed, both here and for ever: which is a more grievous thing than an harsh reproof.

Marginal references: Or, instruction.

11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD, how much more then the hearts of the children of men.

Put for the place of destruction, by an usual Metonymy, the place and state of the damned, of which men know nothing but by divine Revelation.

Whose thoughts and affections, though they lie deep, discover themselves by outward signs and actions.

Marginal references: Job 26. 6.; 2 Chr. [illegible: 1+ letters]. [illegible: 1+ letters]0. Psal. 7. 9. & 44. 21. Joh. 2. 24, 25. & 21. 17. Acts 1. 24.

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him, neither will he go unto the wise .

i. e. Hateth and avoideth it; for more is here understood than is expressed, as it is Prov. 11. 21. & 12. 3. and elsewhere.

Seek their Company and Conversation, as his duty and interest obligeth him.

i. e. The godly, because he knows they who are so indeed will make Conscience of reproving him.

13 A merry heart maketh a chearful Countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Either 1. His vital Spirits. Or rather 2. His Courage and Vigor, the decay whereof sheweth it self in his Countenance, as is implied from the former clause.

Marginal references: Chap. 17. 22.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledg, but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness .

Their hearts are set upon wickedness, which is meat and drink to them.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil , but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast .

Of the troubled in mind or heart, as this general Expression may very fitly be restrained from the following clause.

Tedious and uncomfortable, he takes no content in any time or thing.

Heb. of a good heart, i. e. composed, and quiet, and contented.

Hath constant satisfaction and delight in all conditions, yea, even in affliction.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD , than great treasure, and trouble therewith.

Which gives a man Tranquillity and Comfort in what he hath.

Tumultuous Lusts and Passions, Vexations Cares, and Fears, Horrours of Conscience, and expectation of Gods Curse and Judgment, which Riches gotten without Gods Fear do commonly produce.

Marginal references: Psal. 37. 16. Chap. 16. 8. 1 Tim. 6. 6.

17 Better is a dinner of hearbs where love is, than a stalled Ox, and hatred therewith.

True Friendship and Kindness between those that eat together.

Marginal references: Chap. 17. 1.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife , but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Because he is very apt both to give, and to take all occasions of contention.

Marginal references: Ch. 26. 21. & 29. 22.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns : but the way of the righteous is made plain .

The way in which he doth or ought to walk, any good work which he pretends or desires to undertake.

As a way hedged up with Thorns, as it is expressed, Hos. 2. 6. troublesom, and perplexed, and full of such difficulties as he despaireth, and therefore never striveth to overcome.

Who is always diligent in his Calling, which is one branch of Righteousness, and therefore is fitly opposed to the slothful, who is joined with the wicked, Mat. 25. 26. and censured as such both in Scripture and Heathen Authors, because idleness is both in itself a sin, and it leads the way to many other wickednesses.

Is easie and pleasant to him, notwithstanding all his discouragements and difficulties.

Marginal references: Heb. is raised up as a causey.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father , but a foolish man despiseth his mother .

By giving him that Honour and Obedience which he oweth to him.

Whereby he maketh her sad. See the notes on Prov. 10. 1. where we have the same Proverb.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding walketh uprightly .

He doth not only work Wickedness, but taketh pleasure in it.

Heb directeth, or maketh streight his going, i. e. ordereth all his actions by the rule of Gods word, and delighteth in so doing, which is understood from the opposite clause.

Marginal references: Ch. 10. 23.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] of heart.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed , but in the multitude of counsellors they are estab lished .

When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others in weighty affairs.

Their designs are ill managed, and succeed accordingly.

i. e. Of wise and good Counsellors, for such only deserve that name.

i. e. Accomplished and brought to a good issue.

Marginal references: Ch. 11. 14. & 20 [illegible: 1+ letters]8.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season , how good is it !

i. e. By a wise, or good and seasonable Answer or Advice, as is manifest both from the opposite clause, and from the nature of the thing, because it is manifest and undeniable, that a foolish Answer can be no credit nor comfort to the Answerer. Thus above v. 10. the way is put for Gods way; and such Synecdoche's are frequent in Scripture.

Counsel or comfort given to another in fit time and manner.

It is highly acceptable and useful.

Marginal references: Heb. in his season.

24 The way of life is above to the wise , that he may depart from hell beneath .

The way or course which a wise man taketh to preserve and obtain Life, is to place his Heart, and Treasure, and Conversation in things above, and to manage all his affairs in this world with due respect and subserviency to the happiness of a better Life.

Or, from the lowermost hell, not from the grave, as this word is elsewhere used, for no wisdom can prevent that, but from hell properly so called, as this word is elsewhere used, as hath been formerly observed.

Marginal references: Phi. 3. 20. Col. 3. 1, 2.

25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud , but he will establish the border of the widow.

Of the most mighty Oppressors, who conceit themselves to be unmoveably fixed.

Either 1. The Estate, the border being oft used for the Land within the Borders, as Psal. 105. 31, 33. and elsewhere. Or 2. The Border by which Lands were then bounded and distinguished, which those proud persons endeavoured to remove contrary to Gods Law, Deut. 19. 14. & 27. 17.

Marginal references: Chap. 12. 7. & 14. 11.; Psal. 68. 5, 6.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

And much more their words which express their thoughts; for thoughts are said to be free, and wicked men are seldom, and but little concerned for the sins of their thoughts.

Which discover and proceed from their thoughts, Mat. 15. 19.

acceptable to God, which is opposed to abomination to him.

Marginal references: Chap. 6. 18.; Heb. words of pleasantness.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house , but he that hateth gifts shall live .

That seeketh wealth by unjust courses, as appears from the opposite clause

Bringeth Gods Curse and Destruction upon himself and his Family, whom he designed to enrich and establish.

Who refuseth them not with dissimulation, nor only from prudential Reasons, but from an hearty abhorrency of all Unrighteousness.

i. e. Bribes given to corrupt Judgment. See Exod. 18. 21. & 23. 8. Deut. 16. 19.

Shall preserve himself and (which is understood out of the former clause) his Family from ruine.

Marginal references: Chap. 1. 19.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer : but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things .

He answers or speaks considerately and conscientiously, and therefore profitably, or to the use and Edification of the Hearers.

Not the Heart, for he is without Heart in Scripture account, and he rashly speaks what comes into his mouth, without the direction of his Heart or Conscience.

Foolish, and unprofitable, and hurtful Speeches.

Marginal references: Ch. 16. 23.

29 The LORD is far from the wicked , but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

To wit, when they pray to him, as the next clause explains, and therefore doth not hear nor regard them, as he is said to be nigh to the righteous, Psal. 34. 18. & 145. 18. But this farness or nearness respecteth not Gods Essence, which is every where, but his gracious and helpful presence.

Marginal references: Psal. 34. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].; Psal. 145. 18, 19.

30 The light of the Eyes rejoiceth the heart : and a good report maketh the bones fat .

The light which we see with our Eyes, and by the help of which we see many other pleasant Objects is a great comfort and refreshment. Compare Eccles. 11. 7. Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun: which is a good Comment upon this place.

Either 1. Glad tidings. Or rather 2. A Good-Name, which is a more lasting thing, and makes deeper impression.

Not only cheareth a man for the present, but gives him such solid and stable comfort as doth both revive his soul, and give Health and Vigour to his body. So he compares two Senses together, Seeing and Hearing, with respect to their several Objects, and prefers the latter before the former.

Marginal references: Or, goodness▪ as Ch. 25. 25.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life , abideth among the wise .

The man that hearkeneth to it, and delights in it.

That Reproof and good Counsel which leads to Life.

Heb. shall▪ or will abide, &c. Either 1. He will thereby be made wise, and be esteemed one of that number. Or rather 2. He seeketh and delighteth in the Company and Conversation of the Wise, by whom he may be admonished, as on the contrary, Fools who hate Reproof do avoid and abhor the Society of Wise men and Reprovers, Amos 5. 10.

Marginal references: Ver. 5. & Chap. 12. 1.

32 He that refuseth instruction, despiseth his own soul , but he that heareth reproof, getteth understanding .

Which hereby he exposeth to the danger of utter destruction, whereby he shews his Folly.

Whereby he saveth his Soul. Heb. possesseth an heart, which the Hebrews make the seat of Wisdom.

Marginal references: Or, correction.; Or, obeyeth.; Heb. possesset an heart.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom , and before honour is humility .

Doth instruct men in, or lead them to true Wisdom; whence it is said to be the beginning of Wisdom, Prov. 1. 7. & [illegible: 1+ letters]. 10.

i. e. It is the ready way to Honour both from God, and from Men.

Whereby men submit to God, and yield to Men, which gains them Love and Respect, whereas Pride procures them Hatred and Contempt from God and Men.

Marginal references: Chap. 18. 12▪