Proverbs 22:18

18 that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.

Proverbs 22:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:18

For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
&c.] Or, "in thy belly" ^F1. That is, in thine heart, in the inmost recesses of it; where the words or doctrines of the wise should be received in the love of them, and carefully laid up and retained; which will upon reflection yield much pleasure, like Ezekiel's roll, which was in his belly as honey for sweetness; and which also is very profitable as an antidote against sin, ( Psalms 119:11 ) ; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips;
become them, and be suitable and graceful to them: or, "shall be ordered [and disposed] in" or "by thy lips" ^F2; being received into the heart, and digested there, they shall easily and freely go off the tongue, which shall be as the pen of a ready writer; they shall be delivered in a regular manner, with great liberty and facility; by a good digestion of Gospel truths, and a comfortable experience of them, persons become apt to teach others.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Knjbb) "in ventre tuo", V. L. Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens.
F2 (wnwk) "disponantur", Vatablus.

Proverbs 22:18 In-Context

16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,

18 that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.

19 That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.

20 And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.