28 "When He made firm the clouds above. 29 "When He made strong the fountains of the deep "When He appointed to the sea its bounds, "And to the waters, which transgress not His command!— "When he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 "I was close to Him, as a nursling, "I was His delight, day by day; 66 66 Playing, in His presence, continually— 31" Playing in the world-in His earth, "Yea, my delight was in the sons of men. 32"Now, therefore, ye children, hearken unto me, 34 "Yea, reject it not. 66 Happy is the man, who hearkeneth unto me— "Who watcheth at my gates day by day— "Who keepeth guard at the posts of my doors! the apparently concave surface of the heavens to form, so far as our senses can discern it, a curved boundary to the waters of the ocean. 28 When He made firm &c.—i.e. When He caused the clouds to be supported in the air. made strong &c.-Having prevented the floods from returning to cover the earth, the great Creator also provided copious springs from which the sea should be continually, but gradually, supplied with water. 29 its bounds-i. e. confined the sea within certain limits, saying, "Hitherto shalt thou come but no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." Job xxxviii. 11. Compare Ps. civ. 6-9. 30 In this verse is depicted the grati 35"For he, who attaineth me, attaineth life; 36 "Yea, he shall receive favour from JEHOVAH. “But he, who misseth me, doeth violence to himself; "All they, who hate me, love death." Wisdom represented as inviting to a sumptuous entertainment all who need her bounty The different reception which a wise man and a scoffer give to instruction The foundation of true wisdom - The happy consequences of following its precepts- Warning against the delusions of folly. 1 WISDOM hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her many pillars. 2 She hath killed her fatlings, She hath poured out her wine; 3 She hath sent forth her maidens; She calleth aloud upon the highest places of the city : 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn and come hither!” She saith unto every one, void of understanding: 5 "Come ye, eat of my bread, "And drink of the wine, which I have poured out. 36 misseth me-i.e. misses wisdom, to attain which should be the constant aim of his life. love death-i.e. behave as though they courted their own destruction. CHAPTER IX. 1 In this and the five following verses, Solomon represents wisdom, as having prepared her palace, and provided a splendid banquet, to which she invites all such as had unhappily been drawn into the ways of error and wickedness. The reader can scarcely fail to be reminded, by the description here given, of the parable of our blessed Lord, recorded Matt. xxii. 1-4. and Luke xiv. 16-18. many-Heb. seven. Comp Ps. xii. 6. Note 2. It means here the number required for the stability and ornament of the palace of wisdom. 3 maidens the appropriate attendants of wisdom, who is throughout represented as a female. Compare Ps. XLV. 14. She calleth aloud-by means of these her messengers. Thus, "Pharaoh sent and called Joseph" which means, that Pharaoh sent a messenger who called &c. Gen. xLi. 14. upon the highest places-Heb. upon the ridges of the high places. Compare Ps. LXXii. 3. Note 1. 4 turn and come hither-Heb. depart 6 "Forsake your way, ye simple ones, and ye shall live; "Yea, go straight forward in the way of understanding. 66 Bringeth upon himself reproach. 8 "Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee; 9 "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; "Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. 10 "The reverence of JEHOVAH is the beginning of wisdom, "And the knowledge of the Most Holy is understanding. 11 "For by me, thy days shall be multiplied, "And years of happiness shall be added to thee. 66 12 If thou art wise, "Thou art wise for thyself; "And if thou scornest, "Thou alone shalt bear the punishment." 13 Folly is noisy, She is very simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 She sitteth at the door of her house Upon a lofty seat, in the high places of the city. 15 She calleth aloud to the passengers, Who are going straight forward in their paths: 16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn and come hither!" But to the man void of understanding-to him she saith: 17 "Stolen waters are sweet, "And bread, eaten clandestinely, is pleasant!" 18 But he considereth not that the dead are thereThat her guests are in the depths of the grave! 12 Wisdom here distinctly declares that, 13 Folly Heb. A woman of foolishness. 14 See ver. 3. Not satisfied with placing herself openly at her door, she removes to a yet more conspicuous place. 15 in their paths-i. e. in the paths of religion and goodness. 16 simple- Folly thus designates the followers of true wisdom. turn &c.-Heb. depart hither. i.e. turn from his present virtuous course, and enter my abode. 17 Stolen waters-Compare v. 15. This figurative language refers particularly to the crime of adultery. Compare xxx. 20. eaten clandestinely-Heb. of secret places. 18 Solomon concludes with lamenting that so many should be found, who inconsiderately accept the invitation of folly. there- Compare vii. 27. THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. 1 A WISE SON gladdeneth his father; But a foolish son causeth grief to his mother, 2 The treasures of wickedness do not profit; But beneficence delivereth from death. 3 JEHOVAH will not suffer the beneficent to famish; But He repelleth the covetous desire of the wicked. 4 He, who worketh with a slackened hand, becometh poor; But the hand of the active maketh rich. He, who gathereth in summer, is a son causing success; But He, who sleepeth in harvest, is a son causing shame. 6 Blessings are upon the head of the bountiful; But the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence. |