Proverbs 3:1-12

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

1 1My son, do not forget my teaching, 2but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for 3length of days and years of life and 4peace they will add to you.
3 Let not 5steadfast love and 6faithfulness forsake you; 7bind them around your neck; 8write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will 9find favor and 10good success[a] in the sight of God and man.
5 11Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and 12do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways 13acknowledge him, and he 14will make straight your paths.
7 15Be not wise in your own eyes; 16fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be 17healing to your flesh[b] and 18refreshment[c] to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with 19the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your 20barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 21My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as 22a father the son in whom he delights.

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Proverbs 3:1-12 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.

Cross References 22

  • 1. See Proverbs 1:8
  • 2. Deuteronomy 8:1; Deuteronomy 30:16, 20
  • 3. ver. 16; Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 9:11; Proverbs 10:27; See Psalms 91:16
  • 4. Proverbs 1:33; Psalms 119:165
  • 5. [Psalms 85:10]
  • 6. [Proverbs 20:28; Isaiah 59:14]
  • 7. [Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 6:21; Proverbs 7:3]
  • 8. Proverbs 7:3; [Jeremiah 17:1; 2 Corinthians 3:3]
  • 9. [1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52; Romans 14:18]
  • 10. See Psalms 111:10
  • 11. Psalms 37:3, 5
  • 12. [Jeremiah 9:23]
  • 13. 1 Chronicles 28:9
  • 14. [Psalms 73:24]
  • 15. [Romans 12:16]; See Proverbs 12:15
  • 16. Job 1:1; Job 28:28
  • 17. [Proverbs 4:22]
  • 18. See Job 21:24
  • 19. Exodus 23:19; Exodus 34:26; Deuteronomy 26:2
  • 20. Deuteronomy 28:8
  • 21. Cited Hebrews 12:5, 6; See Job 5:17
  • 22. Deuteronomy 8:5; [1 Corinthians 11:32]

Footnotes 3

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.