Verse 2. Shall eat - Shall receive comfort, and benefit by his wise and profitable discourses.

Verse 6. Keepeth him - From that over-throw which befall sinners.

Verse 7. Maketh rich - Some men who have little or nothing, pretend to have great riches. Maketh rich - Some rich men profess to be poor.

Verse 8. Riches - Riches enable a man to redeem his life when it is in greatest danger, and poverty preserves a man from many injuries. Because they are cautious, that they may not provoke others; and because they are esteemed objects of pity.

Verse 9. The light - The prosperity. Rejoiceth - Shines with a pleasant and constant brightness. Rejoicing is here ascribed to the light, as it is to the sun, Psalm xix, 5, metaphorically. Put out - Their felicity shall have a hidden end.

Verse 10. Pride - It is chiefly, pride which blows up the coals of contention. Well-advised - Who are not governed by their passions, but by prudent considerations. Wisdom - Which teaches them to avoid contention.

Verse 11. Vanity - By wicked practices.

Verse 12. Hope deferred - Delays in obtaining what a man passionately desires. The desire - The good desired. A tree of life - It is satisfactory, and reviving.

Verse 13. The word - The word of God.

Verse 14. The law - The instruction, or counsel; as the word law, is frequently understood in scripture.

Verse 15. Giveth - Makes a man acceptable to God. Rough - Offensive and hateful to God and men, as rough ways are to a traveler.

Verse 16. Knowledge - Considerately and discreetly. Layeth open - By his foolish actions.

Verse 17. A messenger - Who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge. Is health - Procures benefit, as to his master, so to himself.

Verse 19. Sweet - Whatsoever men earnestly desire, the enjoyment of it is sweet to them; therefore sinners rejoice in the satisfaction of their sinful lusts, and abhor all restraint of them.

Verse 21. Evil - Punishment proportionable to their sin.

Verse 23. The poor - Poor persons by their diligent labours, and God's blessing often grow rich. Destroyed - Or, consumed, brought to poverty, for want of discretion.