Verse 2. Aright - Expressing what he knows prudently and gracefully. Poureth out - Plentifully, continually, and vehemently, as a fountain does waters.
Verse 4. Wholesome - Which utters sound and useful counsels. Tree of life - Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers. Perverseness - False or corrupt speeches. A breach - Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers.
Verse 6. Revenues - Though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble.
Verse 7. Disperse - Freely communicate to others what they know.
Verse 8. Sacrifice - All the religious services, yea, the most costly; one kind being put for all the rest. Prayer - The cheapest and meanest services.
Verse 11. Destruction - The place of destruction, of which men know nothing but by Divine Revelation.
Verse 14. Foolishness - Wickedness is meat and drink to them.
Verse 15. Afflicted - Of the troubled in mind. Evil - Tedious and uncomfortable. Chearful - Hebrew. of a good heart.
Verse 16. Trouble - Tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares, and horrors of conscience.
Verse 19. An hedge - As a way hedged up with thorns, troublesome, perplexed, and full of difficulties. Plain - Is easy and pleasant to him, notwithstanding all its difficulties.
Verse 22. Counsel - When men do not seek, or will not receive advice from others.
Verse 23. The answer - By a wise, or good and seasonable answer.
Verse 24. The way - The way a wise man takes to obtain life, is to place his heart, and treasure, and conversation on things above.
Verse 25. The proud - Of the mighty oppressors. The border - The estate, the border being often used, for the land within the borders.
Verse 27. Troubleth - Brings God's curse upon himself and family. Gifts - Bribes given to corrupt judgment. Live - Shall preserve himself and family from ruin.
Verse 28. Studieth - He speaks considerately. The mouth - Not the heart; for he rashly speaks what comes into his mouth, without the direction of his heart or conscience.
Verse 30. A good report - A good name. Fat - Not only chears a man for the present, but gives him such stable comfort as revives his soul, and gives vigour to his body.
Verse 31. The ear - The man that hearkens to that reproof which leads to life, seeks and delights in the company of the wise.
Verse 33. The instruction - Doth instruct men in true wisdom.