Proverbs 19:8

8 Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head - you'll find a good life.

Proverbs 19:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:8

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul
Wisdom and knowledge in things natural and civil; and especially in things divine, spiritual, and evangelical; particularly he that gets Christ, the Wisdom of God, and a saving knowledge of him; see ( Proverbs 3:13 ) . Or, "he that getteth a heart" F16; a good heart, as the Targum explains it; which is a new heart, and a new spirit; a clean heart and a right spirit; a heart of flesh, a soft, tender, and contrite one, in opposition to a hard heart, a heart of stone: a wise and understanding heart, such an one as Solomon had; a heart to know the Lord, and to fear him; in which his laws are written, the graces of his Spirit are implanted; and in which God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, dwell: he who is desirous of such a he art seeks after it, prays for it, and uses all means to obtain it; and who, through the grace of God; does possess it, as the word signifies; he by all this shows that he has a regard to the good and welfare of his immortal soul; when such, who indulge to ignorance and a wicked heart, wrong and hate their own souls; see ( Proverbs 29:24 ) ; he that keepeth understanding shall find good;
retains the wisdom he has got; holds fast instruction, and keeps it, which is committed to him; abides by the doctrines of the Gospel, and does not depart from them; keeps the ordinances of it, which it is his wisdom and understanding to do; see ( Deuteronomy 4:6 ) ; he finds his account in all this; he finds that which is good, good for him now and hereafter; he finds Christ, and life in him; peace, joy, and comfort in this world: and, in the world to come, glory, honour, and happiness.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (bl) "cor", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Mercerus

Proverbs 19:8 In-Context

6 Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone's a friend to the philanthropist.
7 When you're down on your luck, even your family avoids you - yes, even your best friends wish you'd get lost. If they see you coming, they look the other way - out of sight, out of mind.
8 Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head - you'll find a good life.
9 The person who tells lies gets caught; the person who spreads rumors is ruined.
10 Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.