Proverbs 15:28

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.

Proverbs 15:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:28

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer
He thinks before he speaks, meditates what he shall say, what answer to give to men; whether in things civil, natural, or religious; and what to return to the Lord when he is reproved by him; or what to say in prayer to him, or by way of thankfulness for mercies received from him; see ( Proverbs 3:6 ) ( Habakkuk 2:1 ) ; though our Lord advises his disciples, when summoned before their persecutors, not to meditate beforehand what they should answer, since they should have immediate assistance, ( Luke 21:14 ) ; but this was in extraordinary cases; in common ones the observation of the wise man should be attended to. A Jewish ^F21 writer renders the words, "the heart of the righteous meditates wormwood", or bitter things; see ( Proverbs 5:4 ) ; as the judgment of God, death, and hell; this sense is mentioned by Aben Ezra, but rejected; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things;
without any previous thought and consideration, without fear or wit; in great abundance, as water out of a fountain; thus an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things readily and at once, having no concern about the consequences of things, ( Matthew 12:25 ) ; (See Gill on Proverbs 15:2).

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Kabvenaki.

Proverbs 15:28 In-Context

26 An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour.

27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil.

28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends.

29 God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones.

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