Proverbs Three

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Proverbs 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

long life. While it is true that many godly people die young, it is wonderfully true that eternal life is theirs in heaven and the new earth. Furthermore, it is at least statistically true that a life lived in obedience to the Word of God leads to a healthier and longer physical life for each individual than it would be otherwise.

Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

shall direct thy paths. This precious promise of divine guidance in one's life choices is conditioned upon complete trust in God's wisdom as revealed in His Word, along with unashamed acknowledgment of Him in all our dealings with others.

Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

firstfruits of all thine increase. The Lord expects and deserves the best and first that we have—not the leftovers, whether of money or time or talent or anything else.

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

new wine. Since this is “new wine,” fresh from the winepresses—that is, healthful grape juice, still unfermented—there is no conflict with Proverbs 23:29-35, which severely warns against intoxicating wine.

Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

chastening. “Chastening” is the same word as “instruction.” Thus, God's chastening is always for purposes of instruction, and should not be ignored or resented. Proverbs 3:11-12 is quoted in this context in Hebrews 12:5-6. Note also 2 Timothy 3:16, as well as Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12; Revelation 3:19.

Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Proverbs 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

tree of life. The “tree of life” in Eden (Genesis 2:9; 3:24) is used four times in Proverbs (Proverbs 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4) as a symbol of some spiritual blessing. The first and definitive figure calls it the divine Wisdom—which in the final analysis, is none other than the Creator Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

founded the earth. Since Christ was the one by whom God founded the earth (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16), this verse makes it clear that in Proverbs “Wisdom” is actually personified and identified with Christ.

Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

depths. The word “depths” is the same as “deep.” Following the Creation, the next great physical event in earth history was the Flood, at which time “all the fountains of the great deep [were] broken up” (Genesis 7:11).

Proverbs 3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

Proverbs 3:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Proverbs 3:23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Proverbs 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Proverbs 3:28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Proverbs 3:29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

Proverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.