Proverbs 16 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 16 Pr 16:1-33 . 1. preparations-- schemes. in man-- or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him. the answer ... Lord-- The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
2. clean-- or, "faultless." weigheth-- or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty ( Pr 21:2 ; 24:12 ).
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.
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 ).
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.
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 ; 10:31 ). whisperer-- prater, talebearer ( Pr 18:8 ; 26:20 ).
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 ; 4:10 , that piety is blessed with long life.
32. (Compare Pr 14:29 ). taketh a city-- that is, by fighting.