Proverbs 12:25

25 Anxiety in the heart of a man will weigh him down, but a good word will cheer him.

Proverbs 12:25 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop
Either an anxious care and solicitude about living in the world, as the word ^F13 signifies; when it seizes a man's spirits, it depresses them, and keeps them down: or a fear and dread of adversity, or sorrow and grief, on account of some calamity and distress; when it gets into a man's heart, it sinks and bows it down, that it cannot take any pleasure or comfort in anything. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, a "terrible word troubles the heart of a just man"; or "troubles the heart of man", as the Syriac version; the Targum is,

``a word of fear in the heart of man causes fear:''

such is the law, which is a word of terror; which speaks terrible things to men; fills the mind with terror; works wrath in the conscience, and induces a spirit of bondage to fear; bows and keeps under the spirits of men, through a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation; but a good word maketh it glad;
a comforting, cheering, and encouraging word from any friend, that compassionates their distressed case; this lifts up the heart and inspires it with joy; so a word in season, spoken by a Gospel minister, raises up a soul that is bowed down, and gives it comfort and joy: such a good word is the Gospel itself; it is good news from a far country, which is like cold water to a thirsty soul, very refreshing and reviving. The Septuagint and Arabic versions here render it, "a good message", and such the Gospel is; which, when brought to the heart of a poor sinner, depressed with the terrors of the law, causes joy in it; such is the word of peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life by Christ; such is the word that he himself spoke, ( Matthew 9:2 ) . Kimchi instances in ( Psalms 55:22 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (hgad) "solicitudo", Tigurine version, Montanus, Piscator, Michaelis; "solicitudo anxia", Mercerus, Gejerus; "solicita anxietas", Junius & Tremellius; "anxietatem", Schultens.

Proverbs 12:25 In-Context

23 A clever person conceals knowledge, but the heart of a fool announces folly.

24 The hand of the diligent ones will rule, but the lazy will belong to forced labor.

25 Anxiety in the heart of a man will weigh him down, but a good word will cheer him.

26 A righteous person will seek out his neighbor, but the way of the wicked will lead them astray.

27 The lazy will not roast his game, but diligence is the precious wealth of a man.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "mind"