Proverbs 3:1-11

1 son, forget not my laws; but let thine heart keep my words:

2 for length of existence, and years of life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; but bind them about thy neck:

4 so shalt thou find favour: and do thou provide things honest in the sight of the Lord, and of men.

5 Trust in God with all thine heart; and be not exalted in thine own wisdom.

6 In all thy ways acquaint thyself with her, that she may rightly direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear God, and depart from all evil.

8 Then shall there be health to thy body, and good keeping to thy bones.

9 Honour the Lord with thy just labours, and give him the first of thy fruits of righteousness:

10 that thy storehouses may be completely filled with corn, and that thy presses may burst forth with wine.

11 son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Proverbs 3:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 3

In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, delivers out some fresh lessons and instructions to his children; as not to forget his doctrine, but heartily attend to his precepts and ordinances, seeing these are the means of lengthening out their days, and of enjoying peace, Pr 3:1,2; as well as had the promise of the mercy and truth of God, and the continuance of them, annexed to them; and therefore are exhorted to keep close to them, and show the greatest value and affection for them, which was the way to find favour with, and to be taken notice of by, God and man, Pr 3:3,4; and then he proceeds to exhort them to a hearty trust in the Lord, without dependence on themselves; and to seek direction from him in every step they took, which they might expect to have, Pr 3:5,6; to humility and the fear of God, and fleeing from evil, which they would find would much contribute to their health, Pr 3:7,8; to liberality in supporting the worship of God, and the interest of religion, which would turn to account and profit to them, Pr 3:9,10; to patience in bearing the chastisement of the Lord, as coming from a loving father, Pr 3:11,12; then follows a commendation of wisdom, and the happiness of the man possessed of it is declared, Pr 3:13; from the profit, preciousness, pleasure, and usefulness of it, Pr 3:14-18; and from its concern in the works of creation and providence, Pr 3:19,20; and from that comfort, honour, safety, and security, which come by the doctrines and instructions of Wisdom, and a steady regard to them, Pr 3:21-26; and the chapter is concluded with exhortations to beneficence, charity, concord, and peace with neighbours, Pr 3:27-30; and to shun the ways of wicked men, urged from the different state and condition of wicked men and fools, and of the just, the lowly, and wise, Pr 3:31-35.

Footnotes

• [a]. Alex. + 'and write them on the table of thine heart.'
• [b]. See Rom 12. 17.
• [c]. Gr. divide. See 2 Tim 2. 13.
• [d]. Heb 12. 5, 6.