Spreuken 16 · Scripture Insight Network

1De mens heeft schikkingen des harten; maar het antwoord der tong is van den HEERE.

2Alle wegen des mans zijn zuiver in zijn ogen; maar de HEERE weegt de geesten.💬

3Wentel uw werken op den HEERE, en uw gedachten zullen bevestigd worden.💬

4De HEERE heeft alles gewrocht om Zijns Zelfs wil; ja, ook den goddeloze tot den dag des kwaads.💬

5Al wie hoog is van hart, is den HEERE een gruwel; hand aan hand, zal hij niet onschuldig zijn.💬

6Door goedertierenheid en trouw wordt de misdaad verzoend; en door de vreze des HEEREN wijkt men af van het kwade.💬

7Als iemands wegen den HEERE behagen, zo zal Hij ook zijn vijanden met hem bevredigen.💬

8Beter is een weinig met gerechtigheid, dan de veelheid der inkomsten zonder recht.💬

9Het hart des mensen overdenkt zijn weg; maar de HEERE stiert zijn gang.💬

10Waarzegging is op de lippen des konings; zijn mond zal niet overtreden in het gericht.💬

11Een rechte waag en weegschaal zijn des HEEREN; alle weegstenen des zaks zijn Zijn werk.💬

12Het is der koningen gruwel goddeloosheid te doen; want door gerechtigheid wordt de troon bevestigd.💬

13De lippen der gerechtigheid zijn het welgevallen der koningen; en elkeen van hen zal liefhebben dien, die rechte dingen spreekt.💬

14De grimmigheid des konings is als de boden des doods; maar een wijs man zal die verzoenen.💬

15In het licht van des konings aangezicht is leven; en zijn welgevallen is als een wolk des spaden regens.

16Hoeveel beter is het wijsheid te bekomen, dan uitgegraven goud, en uitnemender, verstand te bekomen, dan zilver!💬

17De baan der oprechten is van het kwaad af te wijken; hij behoedt zijn ziel, die zijn weg bewaart.💬

18Hovaardigheid is voor de verbreking, en hoogheid des geestes voor den val.💬

19Het is beter nederig van geest te zijn met de zachtmoedigen, dan roof te delen met de hovaardigen.💬

20Die op het woord verstandelijk let, zal het goede vinden; en die op den HEERE vertrouwt, is welgelukzalig.💬

21De wijze van hart zal verstandig genoemd worden; en de zoetheid der lippen zal de lering vermeerderen.💬

22Het verstand dergenen, die het bezitten, is een springader des levens; maar de tucht der dwazen is dwaasheid.💬

23Het hart eens wijzen maakt zijn mond verstandig, en zal op zijn lippen de lering vermeerderen.💬

24Liefelijke redenen zijn een honigraat, zoet voor de ziel, en medicijn voor het gebeente.💬

25Er is een weg, die iemand recht schijnt; maar het laatste van dien zijn wegen des doods.💬

26De ziel des arbeidzamen arbeidt voor zichzelven; want zijn mond buigt zich voor hem.💬

27Een Belialsman graaft kwaad; en op zijn lippen is als brandend vuur.💬

28Een verkeerd man zal krakeel inwerpen; en een oorblazer scheidt den voornaamsten vriend.

29Een man des gewelds verlokt zijn naaste, en hij leidt hem in een weg, die niet goed is.💬

30Hij sluit zijn ogen, om verkeerdheden te bedenken; zijn lippen bijtende, volbrengt hij het kwaad.

31De grijsheid is een sierlijke kroon; zij wordt op den weg der gerechtigheid gevonden.💬

32De lankmoedige is beter dan de sterke; en die heerst over zijn geest, dan die een stad inneemt.💬

33Het lot wordt in den schoot geworpen; maar het gehele beleid daarvan is van den HEERE.💬

Commentaar (30)

Inleiding1

Spreuken 16

Proverbs 16

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phi 2:13; Psa 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of the Lord. That is, in short, 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 1. God disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who made man's mouth and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men's purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam's heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing.

Vers 21

Spreuken 16:2

Proverbs 16:2

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of, or do not think so ill of as we ought. 2. The judgment of God concerning us, we are sure, is according to truth: He weighs the spirits in a just and unerring balance, knows what is in us, and passes a judgment upon us accordingly, writing Tekel upon that which passed our scale with approbation - weighed in the balance and found wanting; and by his judgment we must stand or fall. He not only sees men's ways but tries their spirits, and we are as our spirits are.

Vers 31

Spreuken 16:3

Proverbs 16:3

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. It is a very desirable thing to have our thoughts established, and not tossed, and put into a hurry, by disquieting cares and fears, - to go on in an even steady course of honesty and piety, not disturbed, or put out of frame, by any event or change, - to be satisfied that all shall work for good and issue well at last, and therefore to be always easy and sedate. 2. The only way to have our thoughts established is to commit our works to the Lord.…

Vers 41

Spreuken 16:4

Proverbs 16:4

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. That God is the first cause. He is the former of all things and all persons, the fountain of being; he gave every creature the being it has and appointed it its place. Even the wicked are his creatures, though they are rebels; he gave them those powers with which they fight against him, which aggravates their wickedness, that they will not let him that made them rule them, and therefore, though he made them, he will not save them. 2. That God is t…

Vers 51

Spreuken 16:5

Proverbs 16:5

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. The pride of sinners sets God against them. He that, being high in estate is proud in heart, whose spirit is elevated with his condition, so that he becomes insolent in his conduct towards God and man, let him know that though he admires himself, and others caress him, yet he is an abomination to the Lord. The great God despises him; the holy God detest him. 2. The power of sinners cannot secure them against God, though they strengthen themselves with body hands. Though they may strengthen one another with their confederacies and combinations, joining forces against God, they shall not escape his righteous judgment. Woe unto him that strives with his Maker, Pro 11:21; Isa 45:9.

Vers 61

Spreuken 16:6

Proverbs 16:6

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

See here, 1. How the guilt of sin is taken away from us - by the mercy and truth of God, mercy in promising, truth in performing, the mercy and truth which kiss each other in Jesus Christ the Mediator - by the covenant of grace, in which mercy and truth shine so brightly - by our mercy and truth, as the condition of the pardon and a necessary qualification for it - by these, and not by the legal sacrifices, Mic 6:7, Mic 6:8. 2. How the power of sin is broken in us. By the principles of mercy and truth commanding in us the corrupt inclinations are purged out (so we may take the former part); however, by the fear of the Lord, and the influence of that fear, men depart from evil; those will not dare to sin against God who keep up in their minds a holy dread and reverence of him.

Vers 71

Spreuken 16:7

Proverbs 16:7

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other. 2. He will do it for us when we please him. If we make it our care to be reconciled to God, and to keep ourselves in his love, he will incline those that have been envious towards us, and vexatious to us, to entertain a good opinion of us and to become our friends. God made Esau to be at peace with Jacob, Abimelech with Isaac, and David's enemies to court his favour and desire a league with Israel. The image of God appearing upon the righteous, and his particular lovingkindness to them, are enough to recommend them to the respect of all, even of those that have been most prejudiced against them.

Vers 81

Spreuken 16:8

Proverbs 16:8

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Here, 1. It is supposed that an honest good man may have but a little of the wealth of this world (all the righteous are not rich), - that a man may have but little, and yet may be honest (though poverty is a temptation to dishonesty, Pro 30:9, yet not an invincible one), - and that a man may grow rich, for a while, by fraud and oppression, may have great revenues, and those got and kept without right, may have no good title to them nor make any good use of them. 2. It is maintained that a small estate, honestly come by, which a man is content with, enjoys comfortably, serves God with cheerfully, and puts to a right use, is much better and more valuable than a great estate ill-got, and then ill-kept or ill-spent. It carries with it more inward satisfaction, a better reputation with all that are wise and good; it will last longer, and will turn to a better account in the great day, when men will be judged, not according to what they had, but what they did.

Vers 91

Spreuken 16:9

Proverbs 16:9

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Man is here represented to us, 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state. 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men devise their way, so as to make God's glory their end and his will their rule, they may expect that he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace, so that they shall not miss their way nor come short of their end. But let men devise their worldly affairs ever so politely, and with ever so great a probability of success, yet God has the ordering of the event, and sometimes directs their steps to that which they least intended. The design of this is to teach us to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that (Jam 4:14, Jam 4:15), and to have our eye to God, not only in the great turns of our lives, but in every step we take. Lord, direct my way, Th1 3:11.

Vers 101

Spreuken 16:10

Proverbs 16:10

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

We wish this were always true as a proposition, and we ought to make it our prayer for kings, and all in authority, that a divine sentence may be in their lips, both in giving orders, that they may do that in wisdom, and in giving sentence, that they may do that in equity, both which are included in judgment, and that in neither their mouth may transgress, Ti1 2:1. But it is often otherwise; and therefore, 1. it may be read as a precept to the kings and ju…

Vers 111

Spreuken 16:11

Proverbs 16:11

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. The administration of public justice by the magistrate is an ordinance of God; in it the scales are held, and ought to be held by a steady and impartial hand; and we ought to submit to it, for the Lord's sake, and to see his authority in that of the magistrate, Rom 13:1; Pe1 2:13. 2. The observance of justice in commerce between man and man is likewise a divine appointment. He taught men discretion to make scales and weights for the adjusting of right exactly between buyer and seller, that neither may be wronged; and all other useful inventions for the preserving of right are from him. He has also appointed by his law that they be just. It is therefore a great affront to him, and to his government, to falsify, and so to do wrong under colour and pretence of doing right, which is wickedness in the place of judgment.

Vers 121

Spreuken 16:12

Proverbs 16:12

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Here is, 1. The character of a good king, which Solomon intended not for his own praise, but for instruction to his successors, his neighbours, and the viceroys under him. A good king not only does justice, but it is an abomination to him to do otherwise. He hates the thought of doing wrong and perverting justice; he not only abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors the wickedness done by others, but abhors to do any himself, though, having power, he might easily and safety do it. 2. The comfort of a good king: His throne is established by righteousness. He that makes conscience of using his power aright shall find that to be the best security of his government, both as it will oblige people, make them easy, and keep them in the interest of it, and as it will obtain the blessing of God, which will be a firm basis to the throne and a strong guard about it.

Vers 131

Spreuken 16:13

Proverbs 16:13

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Here is a further character of good kings, that they love and delight in those that speak right. 1. They hate parasites and those that flatter them, and are very willing that all about them should deal faithfully with them and tell them that which is true, whether it be pleasing or displeasing, both concerning persons and things, that every thing should be set in a true light and nothing disguised, Pro 29:12. 2. They not only do righteousness themselves, but take care to employ those under them that do righteousness too, which is of great consequence to the people, who must be subject not only to the king as supreme, but to the governors sent by him, Pe1 2:14. A good king will therefore put those in power who are conscientious, and will say that which is righteous and discreet, and know how to speak aright and to the purpose.

Vers 141

Spreuken 16:14

Proverbs 16:14

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

These two verses show the power of kings, which is every where great, but was especially so in those eastern countries, where they were absolute and arbitrary. Whom they would they slew and whom they would they kept alive. Their will was a law. We have reason to bless God for the happy constitution of the government we live under, which maintains the prerogative of the prince without any injury to the liberty of the subject. But here it is intimated, 1. Ho…

Vers 161

Spreuken 16:16

Proverbs 16:16

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Solomon here not only asserts that it is better to get wisdom than gold (Pro 3:14, Pro 8:19), but he speaks it with assurance, that it is much better, better beyond expression - with admiration (How much better!) as one amazed at the disproportion - with an appeal to men's consciences ("Judge in yourselves how much better it is") - and with an addition to the same purport, that understanding is rather to be chosen than silver and all the treasures of kings…

Vers 171

Spreuken 16:17

Proverbs 16:17

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. It is the way of the upright to avoid sin, and every thing that looks like it and leads towards it; and this is a highway marked out by authority, tracked by many that have gone before us, and in which we meet with many that keep company with us; it is easy to find and safe to be travelled in, like a highway, Isa 35:8. To depart from evil is understanding. 2. It is the care of the upright to preserve their own souls, that they be not polluted with sin, and that by the troubles of the world they may not be put out of the possession of them, especially that they may not perish for ever, Mat 16:26. And it is therefore their care to keep their way, and not turn aside out of it, on either hand, but to press towards perfection. Those that adhere to their duty secure their felicity. Keep thy way and God will keep thee.

Vers 181

Spreuken 16:18

Proverbs 16:18

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. Pride will have a fall. Those that are of a haughty spirit, that think of themselves above what is meet, and look with contempt upon others, that with their pride affront God and disquiet others, will be brought down, either by repentance or by ruin. It is the honour of God to humble the proud, Job 40:11, Job 40:12. It is the act of justice that those who have lifted up themselves should be laid low. Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, were instances of this. Men cannot punish pride, but either admire it or fear it, and therefore God will take the punishing of it into his own hands. Let him alone to deal with proud men. 2. Proud men are frequently most proud, and insolent, and haughty, just before their destruction, so that it is a certain presage that they are upon the brink of it. When proud men set God's judgments at defiance, and think themselves at the greatest distance from them, it is a sign that they are at the door; witness the case of Benhadad and Herod. While the word was in the king's mouth, Dan 4:31. Therefore let us not fear the pride of others, but greatly fear pride in ourselves.

Vers 191

Spreuken 16:19

Proverbs 16:19

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

This is a paradox which the children of this world cannot understand and will not subscribe to, that it is better to be poor and humble than to be rich and proud. 1. Those that divide the spoil are commonly proud; they value themselves and despise others, and their mind rises with their condition; those therefore that are rich in this world have need to be charged that they be not high-minded, Ti1 6:17. Those that are proud and will put forth themselves, t…

Vers 201

Spreuken 16:20

Proverbs 16:20

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. Prudence gains men respect and success: He that handles a matter wisely (that is master of his trade and makes it to appear he understands what he undertakes, that is considerate in his affairs, and, when he speaks or writes on any subject, does it pertinently) shall find good, shall come into good repute, and perhaps may make a good hand of it. 2. But it is piety only that will secure men's true happiness: Those that handle a matter wisely, if they are proud and lean to their own understanding, though they may find some good, yet they will have no great satisfaction in it; but he that trusts in the Lord, and not in his own wisdom, happy is he, and shall speed better at last. Some read the former part of the verse so as to expound it of piety, which is indeed true wisdom: He that attends to the word (the word of God, Pro 13:13) shall find good in it and good by it. And whoso trusts in the Lord, in his word which he attends to, is happy.

Vers 211

Spreuken 16:21

Proverbs 16:21

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. Those that have solid wisdom will have the credit of it; it will gain them reputation, and they shall be called prudent grave men, and a deference will be paid to their judgment. Do that which is wise and good and thou shalt have the praise of the same. 2. Those that with their wisdom have a happy elocution, that deliver their sentiments easily and with a good grace, are communicative of their wisdom and have words at will, and good language as well as good sense, increase learning; they diffuse and propagate knowledge to others, and do good work with it, and by that means increase their own stock. They add doctrine, improve sciences, and do service to the commonwealth of learning. To him that has, and uses what he has, more shall be given.

Vers 221

Spreuken 16:22

Proverbs 16:22

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. There is always some good to be gotten by a wise and good man: His understanding is a well-spring of life to him, which always flows and can never be drawn dry; he has something to say upon all occasions that is instructive, and of use to those that will make use of it, things new and old to bring out of his treasure; at least, his understanding is a spring of life to himself, yielding him abundant satisfaction; within his own thoughts he entertains and edifies himself, if not others. 2. There is nothing that is good to be gotten by a fool. Even his instruction, his set and solemn discourses, are but folly, like himself, and tending to make others like him. When he does his best it is but folly, in comparison even with the common talk of a wise man, who speaks better at table than a fool in Moses's seat.

Vers 231

Spreuken 16:23

Proverbs 16:23

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Solomon had commended eloquence, or the sweetness of the lips (Pro 16:21), and seemed to prefer it before wisdom; but here he corrects himself, as it were, and shows that unless there be a good treasure within to support the eloquence it is worth little. Wisdom in the heart is the main matter. 1. It is this that directs us in speaking, that teaches the mouth what to speak, and when, and how, so that what is spoken may be proper, and pertinent, and seasonable; otherwise, though the language be ever so fine, it had better be unsaid. 2. It is this that gives weight to what we speak and adds learning to it, strength of reason and force of argument, without which, let a thing be ever so well worded, it will be rejected, when it comes to be considered, as trifling. Quaint expressions please the ear, and humour the fancy, but it is learning in the lips that must convince the judgment, and sway that, to which wisdom in the heart is necessary.

Vers 241

Spreuken 16:24

Proverbs 16:24

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

The pleasant words here commended must be those which the heart of the wise teaches, and adds learning to (Pro 16:23), words of seasonable advice, instruction, and comfort, words taken from God's word, for that is it which Solomon had learned from his father to account sweeter than honey and the honey-comb, Psa 19:10. These words, to those that know how to relish them, 1. Are pleasant. They are like the honey-comb, sweet to the soul, which tastes in them that the Lord is gracious; nothing more grateful and agreeable to the new man than the word of God, and those words which are borrowed from it, Psa 119:103. 2. They are wholesome. Many things are pleasant that are not profitable, but these pleasant words are health to the bones, to the inward man, as well as sweet to the soul. They make the bones, which sin has broken and put out of joint, to rejoice. The bones are the strength of the body; and the good word of God is a means of spiritual strength, curing the diseases that weaken us.

Vers 251

Spreuken 16:25

Proverbs 16:25

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

This we had before (Pro 14:12), but here it is repeated, as that which is very necessary to be thought of, 1. By way of caution to us all to take heed of deceiving ourselves in the great concerns of our souls by resting in that which seems right and is not really so, and, for the preventing of a self-delusion, to be impartial in self-examination and keep up a jealousy over ourselves. 2. By way of terror to those whose way is not right, is not as it should be, however it may seem to themselves or others; the end of it will certainly be death; to that it has a direct and certain tendency.

Vers 261

Spreuken 16:26

Proverbs 16:26

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

This is designed to engage us to diligence, and quicken us, what our hand finds to do, to do it with all our might, both in our worldly business and in the work of religion; for in the original it is, The soul that labours labours for itself. It is heart-work which is here intended, the labour of the soul, which is here recommended to us, 1. As that which will be absolutely needful. Our mouth is continually craving it of us; the necessities both of soul and body are pressing, and require constant relief, so that we must either work or starve. Both call for daily bread, and therefore there must be daily labour; for in the sweat of our face we must eat, Th2 3:10. 2. As that which will be unspeakably gainful. We know on whose errand we go: He that labours shall reap the fruit of his labour; it shall be for himself; he shall rejoice in his own work and eat the labour of his hands. If we make religion our business, God will make it our blessedness.

Vers 271

Spreuken 16:27

Proverbs 16:27

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

There are those that are not only vicious themselves, but spiteful and mischievous to others, and they are the worst of men; two sorts of such are here described: - 1. Such as envy a man the honour of his good name, and do all they can to blast that by calumnies and misrepresentations: They dig up evil; they take a great deal of pains to find out something or other on which to ground a slander, or which may give some colour to it. If none appear above grou…

Vers 291

Spreuken 16:29

Proverbs 16:29

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Here is another sort of evil men described to us, that we may neither do like them, nor have any thing to do with them. 1. Such as (like Satan) do all the mischief they can by force and violence, as roaring lions, and not only by fraud and insinuation, as subtle serpents: They are violent men, that do all by rapine and oppression, that shut their eyes, meditating with the closest intention and application of mind to devise froward things, to contrive how t…

Vers 311

Spreuken 16:31

Proverbs 16:31

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. It ought to be the great care of old people to be found in the way of righteousness, the way of religion and serious godliness. Both God and man will look for them in that way; it will be expected that those that are old should be good, that the multitude of their years should teach them the best wisdom; let them therefore be found in that way. Death will come; the Judge is coming; the Lord is at hand. That they may be found of him in peace, let t…

Vers 321

Spreuken 16:32

Proverbs 16:32

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

This recommends the grace of meekness to us, which will well become us all, particularly the hoary head, Pro 16:31. Observe, 1. The nature of it. it is to be slow to anger, not easily put into a passion, nor apt to resent provocation, taking time to consider before we suffer our passion to break out, that it may not transgress due bounds, so slow in our motions towards anger that we may be quickly stopped and pacified. It is to have the rule of our own spi…

Vers 331

Spreuken 16:33

Proverbs 16:33

Matthew HenryENDevotioneel

Gereformeerd

Note, 1. The divine Providence orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous. Nothing comes to pass by chance, nor is an event determined by a blind fortune, but every thing by the will and counsel of God. What man has neither eye nor hand in God is intimately concerned in. 2. When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided, God must be eyed in it, by prayer, that it may be disposed aright (Give a perfect lot, Sa1 14:41; Act 1:24), and by acquiescing in it when it is disposed, being satisfied that the hand of God is in it and that hand directed by infinite wisdom. All the disposals of Providence concerning our affairs we must look upon to be the directing of our lot, the determining of what we referred to God, and must be reconciled to them accordingly.