Verse 9. Delivered - From the infection of the hypocrite's evil counsel.
Verse 11. The blessing - Wherewith they bless the city, by their sincere prayers, and wise and wholesome counsels. The mouth - By their curses, and oaths, and blasphemies, and wicked counsels.
Verse 12. Despiseth - Which he shews by contemptuous or reproachful expressions. Holdeth peace - Forbears all such expressions, and silently and patiently bears those reproaches.
Verse 13. Secrets - Such things as were committed to his trust with a charge of secrecy.
Verse 16. Gracious woman - A woman endued with the grace of God. Retaineth - Or, holdeth fast her honour, or reputation.
Verse 18. Worketh - A work which will deceive his expectation. Soweth - That worketh it with constancy, and diligence.
Verse 21. Though hand join - Though they are fortified against God's judgments by a numerous issue and kindred, and friends, and by mutual and strong combinations. The seed - Not only their persons, but their children.
Verse 22. So is a fair woman without discretion - "Of beauty vain, of virtue void, What art thou in the sight of God? A slave to every base desire, A creature wallowing in the mire. Go, gaudy pageant of a day, Thy folly, with thy face display: Set all thy charms and graces out, And shew - the Jewel in thy snout!"
Verse 23. The desire - The desires and expectations of the righteous shall end in their happiness, but the desires and expectations of the wicked men shall be disappointed, and end in the wrath of God.
Verse 24. Scattereth - That gives liberally. Increaseth - Through God's blessing upon his estate. Poverty - By God's providence secretly blasting his estate.
Verse 25. Fat - Shall be enriched both with temporal and spiritual blessings.
26. With-holdeth corn - In a time of scarcity. Selleth - Upon reasonable terms.
Verse 27. Seeketh - To do good to all men. favour - With God and men.
Verse 29. Troubleth - He who brings trouble upon himself and children, either by prodigality, or by restless endeavours to heap up riches. Wind - Shall be as unable to keep what he gets as a man is to hold the wind in his hand.
Verse 30. The fruit - His discourses and his whole conversation, is like the fruit of the tree of life. Winneth - That gains souls to God.
