Proverbs 15:15

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Proverbs 15:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:15

All the days of the afflicted [are] evil
And some are afflicted all their days, from their youth up; so that not only the days of old age are evil days, in which they have no pleasure, but even the days of their youth; all their days, as Jacob says, "few and evil have the days of the years of my life been", ( Genesis 47:9 ) ; because they had been filled up with affliction and trouble of one sort or another. Or, "all the days of the poor" ^F6; either in purse, who want many of the good things of life; or in knowledge, as Gersom and Aben Ezra observe; but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast;
a heart that has "the kingdom of God" in it, which lies "not [in] meat and drink, but [in] righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost", ( Romans 14:17 ) : which has the love of God shed abroad in it by the Spirit, where Christ dwells by faith; and that lives by faith on him, and on the provisions of his grace; all this is a constant continual feast to a gracious soul, made joyful hereby.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (yne) "pauperis", V. L. Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 15:15 In-Context

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.