Prov. 10 From this chapter to the five and twentieth, are sundry observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices, with excellent rules for the government of our conversation.

A wise son, i.e. prudent, and especially virtuous and godly, as this word is commonly meant in this book, and in many other scriptures. A glad father; and a glad mother too; for both parents are to be understood in both branches, as is evident from the nature of the thing, which affects both of…

Treasures of wickedness: either, 1. All worldly treasures and riches, which are called the mammon of unrighteousness, Luke 16:9, of which see the reasons there; to which righteousness or holiness, which are spiritual and heavenly riches, may be fitly opposed. Or, 2.

Will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish; will preserve them from famine, according to his promises, Ps. 34:10, and elsewhere, which, as other temporal promises, is not to be understood simply and universally, but with this limitation, except this be necessary for God’s glory, which in…

With a slack hand; negligently and slothfully, as appears from the diligence opposed to it in the next branch, and from the use of this word in this sense, Prov. 12:24, Prov. 12:27, Prov. 19:15, Jer. 48:10. Heb.

He that gathereth the fruits of his field in summer; in harvest, as it follows, which is a part of summer. He that watcheth for and improveth the proper seasons and opportunities of doing good to himself, and to others.

Blessings are upon the head of the just; all sorts of blessings are wished to them by men, and conferred upon them by God. He saith, upon their head, either to show that these blessings come from above; and that openly, in the sight of the world, so that he can confidently speak of them to God’s…

Is blessed, i.e. honourable and acceptable to those who mention them. Compare Job 31:20, Ps. 62:5. Shall rot; shall perish, and be cursed and detestable amongst men, shall stink above ground.

Will receive commandments; is ready to hear and obey the counsels and precepts of God, and of men, by which means he shall stand fast and live. A prating fool; one who is slow to hear and swift to speak, who, instead of receiving good admonitions, cavils and disputes against them.

He that walketh uprightly; who is sincere, and just, and faithful in his dealings with God and with men. Surely; or, securely, or confidently, as the word properly signifies, and is here rendered by all the ancient interpreters, and by most of the others; quietly resting upon God’s favour and…

That winketh with the eye; that secretly and cunningly designs mischiefs against others, as this phrase is used, Ps. 35:19, Prov. 6:13. Causeth sorrow to others, and afterwards to himself.

A well of life; continually sending forth waters of life, or such good and wholesome words as are very refreshing and useful, both to themselves and others, for the preserving of their natural life, and for the promoting of their spiritual and eternal life. We have the same phrase Ps. 36:9.

Hatred stirreth up strifes upon every slight occasion, by filling men with suspicions and surmises, whereby they imagine faults where there are none, and aggravate every small offence.

Wisdom is found; his wisdom showeth itself in his prudent speeches, by which he escapeth that rod which tools meet with, and gaineth that reputation and advantage to himself which fools lose.

Wise men lay up, to wit, in their minds and memories, to be brought forth thence upon fit occasions, knowledge; whereby they may be enabled to speak both what and when it is seasonable, for their own or others’ good.

Is his strong city; either, 1. Really, as money is called a defence, Eccles. 7:12, because it ofttimes redeems a man from dangers and calamities. Or, 2. In his own conceit, as it is explained, and fully expressed, Prov. 18:11. It makes him secure and confident.

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: either, 1. The design of his labour is only this, that he may have wherewith to live honestly, without sinful shifts. Or, 2.

The way of life; which leadeth to life and blessedness. That keepeth instruction; that observeth and obeyeth the wholesome counsels of God, and of good men. Erreth, to wit, from the way of life, or into the ways of sin, and so of death; Heb.

With lying lips; with flattering words and false pretences of friendship. And he, Heb. he, i. e both of them, one no less than the other. So he condemneth two opposite vices, secret hatred and manifest slander.

Men that love and commonly use much talking, do frequently run into many miscarriages, because such persons, for the most part, want wisdom to order their words aright, Eccles. 5:3, and speak hastily, without care and consideration.

As choice silver; of great worth and use, bringing credit to himself, and much benefit to others. The heart, and consequently the tongue, which speaketh out of the abundance of the heart, Matt. 12:34.

Feed many, by their wise and pious discourses, counsels, and comforts, which are so many evidences of their wisdom. Die for want of wisdom; they have not wisdom to feed or preserve themselves, much less to feed others.

Riches are not got by wisdom or diligence, but only by God’s favour and blessing. He addeth no sorrow with it, i.e. with that blessing which gives riches, but gives them content and comfort in their riches, which is a singular gift and blessing of God, of which see Eccles. 2:24, Eccles.

As sport; he doth it with ease and delight, and without any shame, or remorse, or fear. To do mischief or, as others, to work wickedness; yea, great and premeditated wickedness, as the Hebrew word properly signifies.

The fear; the evils which he feareth, or hath cause to fear, as fear is oft taken. Shall be granted; God will not only prevent the mischiefs which they fear, but grant them the good things which they desire.

As the whirlwind passeth; which is suddenly gone, though with great noise and violence. So is the wicked no more; his power and felicity is lost in an instant. Is an everlasting foundation; or, hath an everlasting, &c. His hope and happiness is built upon a sure and unmovable foundation.

As vinegar to the teeth; Which by its cold and sharpness it offends. So is the sluggard; unserviceable and vexatious.

Prolongeth days; partly because it gives them a title to the promise of long life, as well as to other promises; partly because it gladdeth the heart, which doth good like a medicine, Prov. 17:22, and preserves a man from those wicked practices which tend to the shortening of the days.

Shall be gladness; though at present it be mixed with doubts, and fears, and disappointments, yet at last it shall be accomplished, and turned into enjoyment. Shall perish; shall be utterly frustrated, and so end in sorrow.

The way of the Lord; either, 1. The way or course of God’s providence in the government of the world. Or rather, 2. The way of God’s precepts, as God’s way or ways are most commonly understood in Scripture, or walking in God’s ways; for this is opposed to working iniquity in the next clause.

The righteous shall never be removed; they shall live long and happily here, when this is most expedient for them, and eternally in heaven. The wicked shall not inhabit the earth; they shall not have so much as a long and quite abode upon earth, unless where this is a curse and mischief to them,…

Bringeth forth, freely, and abundantly, and constantly, as the earth or a tree bring forth their proper fruit, as the word properly signifies. Wisdom; wise counsels, by which he directeth and secureth himself and others.

Know, to wit, practically, so as to consider and speak. Knowledge is here ascribed to the lips, as it is to the hands Ps. 78:72, because they are conducted by knowledge and wisdom.