Proverbs 2:7-17

7 He keeps the person of the upright; he is a buckler to those that walk perfectly,

8 keeping the paths of judgment and the way of his merciful ones.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity, yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom enters into thine heart and knowledge is sweet unto thy soul,

11 discretion shall preserve thee, intelligence shall keep thee

12 to deliver thee from the evil way, from the man that speaks perversion,

13 who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

14 who rejoice to do evil and delight in wicked perversion,

15 whose ways are crooked, and they are crooked in their paths;

16 to deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger who flatters with her words,

17 who forsakes the prince of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

Proverbs 2:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 2

This chapter directs to the means of attaining to the knowledge of divine things, and shows the profit and advantage arising from thence. The means are, embracing the doctrines of the Gospel, and retaining in memory and affection the ordinances of it, Pr 2:1; and an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to the knowledge of these things, Pr 2:2. An earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer, after the same, Pr 2:3; and a diligent and unwearied search for them, as for silver and hid treasure, Pr 2:4. The advantages are, that such shall attain to the fear and knowledge of God; which may be concluded from these being the gift of God to his people, and from their being laid up for them, whom he carefully keeps and preserves, Pr 2:5-8; and not only so, but such learn to do that which is just and right among men, Pr 2:9. And, besides, such is the nature of divine wisdom, that, when it has once got a place in the heart and in the affections, it will be a means of preserving both from the ways of evil men, Pr 2:10-12; who are described, Pr 2:13-15. And from the evil woman, whose character is given, Pr 2:16,17; whose vicious course of life, and the ways she leads persons into, are represented as very dangerous, Pr 2:18,19. And, on the contrary, such is the usefulness of true wisdom, that it leads into the way of good men, who will be happy and safe, when the wicked shall be destroyed, Pr 2:20-22.