Proverbs 12:22

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.^[a]

Proverbs 12:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:22

Lying lips [are] abomination to the Lord
Such that speak lies in common talk; and that deliver out doctrinal lies, false doctrines, lies in hypocrisy, as are the doctrines of Rome; these are abominable unto God; as being contrary to his nature as the God of truth; contrary to the Scriptures of truth he has endited; contrary to the truth of the Gospel he has published; contrary to his Son, who is truth itself; and to the Spirit of truth, which leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus; wherefore an abomination and a lie are joined together, ( Revelation 21:27 ) ; but they that deal truly [are] his delight;
or the objects of "his good will" and pleasure, as the word ^F9 signifies; they are grateful and acceptable to him; he is well-pleased with them, and delights in them. Not only such that speak the truth, but "do the truth" ^F11, as the words may be rendered; whose words and actions, doctrine and life, agree together: it is not enough to embrace, profess, or preach the truth, but he must practise it; see ( John 3:21 ) ( 1 John 1:6 ) ; he must deal truly with God and men, or faithfully, as the Targum and Vulgate Latin version; he must be true to his word and promises, and faithfully perform what he has agreed unto. Or, "that work faith"; that work the work of faith, that faith which works by love; that live on Christ and his righteousness; such are well pleasing to God; without which faith it is impossible to please him, ( Hebrews 11:6 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (wnwur) "est beneplacitum ejus", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "accepti sunt ei", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.
F11 (hnwma yve) "facientibus veritatem", Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "facientes veritatem", Montanus; "qui faciunt veritatem", Cocceius.

Proverbs 12:22 In-Context

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.

21 No disaster [overcomes] the righteous, but the wicked are full of misery.

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge, but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.

24 The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 3:32; 11:20; 15:8-9, 26