Proverbs 22:19

Pro 22:19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Ver. 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord.] Only a divine word can beget a divine faith, and herein the Scripture excels all human writings, none of which can bring our hearts to the "obedience of faith." I can speak it by experience, saith Erasmus, {a} that there is little good to be got by the Scripture, if a man read it cursorily and carelessly; but if he exercise himself therein constantly and conscionably, he shall feel such a force in it, as is not to be found again in any other book whatsoever. I know, saith Peter Martyr, {b} that there are many that will never believe what we say of the power of God’s word hidden in the heart; and not a few that will jeer us, and think we are mad for saying so. But oh that they would but be pleased to make trial! Male mihi sit (ita enim in tanta causa iurare usim ausim), nisi tandem capiantur. Let it never go well with me - for so I am bold to swear in so weighty a business - if they find not themselves strangely taken and transformed into the same image, if they pass not into the likeness of this heavenly pattern. The Ephesians "trusted in God as soon as they heard the word of truth"; they "believed," and were "sealed." {Eph 1:13} And the Thessalonians’ faith was famous all the churches over, when once the gospel "came to them in power." {1Th 1:5; 1Th 1:8}

To thee, even to thee.] Men must read the Scriptures as they do the statute books, holding themselves as much concerned therein as any other, threatening themselves in every threat, binding themselves in every precept, blessing themselves in every promise, resolving to obey God in all things; as convinced of this, that these are verba vivenda, non legenda, Words to be lived, and not read only.

{a} Erasm., Praef in Lucam.

{b} Pet. Mart., Praef. in Com. in Ep. ad Rom.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 22:19-21. That thy trust may be in the Lord — That, knowing God, and his word and promises, thou mayest cheerfully and confidently trust in him, which is the only way to thy safety and happiness. I have made known to thee this day — More fully than ever before; in this day of light and knowledge; in this thy day, the day of thy merciful visitation; excellent things — שׁלישׁים, princely things, or leading things, “words fit for a prince to speak,” says Bishop Patrick, “and the best men of the world to hear, and therefore truly excellent.” Many of the ancient versions, however, read three-fold things, in which they are followed by Schultens and Grotius: the Jews distinguishing philosophy into three branches, morality, physics, and divinity; and Solomon having written in all those branches, as appears from 1 Kings 4., although most of his writings are lost. But, as the Hebrew word above quoted always signifies great captains, generals, nobles, or the best sort of musical instruments, “I look upon this,” namely, that first given, says the bishop, “the most proper interpretation of it.” In counsels and knowledge — Counsels to direct thy practice, and knowledge to inform thy mind. That I may make thee know the certainty, &c. — That I may teach thee, not false, or vain, or uncertain things, like the teachers of the heathen nations; but the true and infallible oracles of God; that thou mightest answer the words of truth — That, being instructed by me, thou mayest be able to give true, solid, and satisfactory answers; to them that send unto thee — Namely, for thy advice in great and difficult matters. Or, to those that send thee, that is, that employ thee in any business of moment, whereof they expect an account from thee.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He showeth what the end of wisdom is: to wit, to direct us to the Lord.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

That . . . Lord--This is the design of the instruction.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known, c.]

III. The END for which the wise man gives these instructions: -

1. "That thy trust may be in the Lord." That thou mayest acknowledge HIM as the Fountain of all good and refer every thing to him.

2. That this end may be accomplished, the instructions are specific and particular: "I have made known to thee, even to thee."

3. And this has not only been done in times past, "I have made known:" but even in the present, "I have made known this day!"

IV. An appeal is made to the person himself relative to the matter and importance of the teaching.

1. "Have I not written to thee excellent things;" שלשים shalishim, literally threefold, thrice, in three different ways; which some think refers to his three books: -

1. Canticles.

2. Koheleth, or Ecclesiastes. And

3. Proverbs.

Others, understanding it of the voice of Divine wisdom, suppose the three grand divisions of the sacred oracles are intended; viz.,

1. The Law;

2. The Prophets; and

3. The Hagiographa.

And others interpret it of the three grand intellectual sciences: -

1. Morality, or Ethics.

2. Natural Philosophy, or Physics.

3. Theology, or the science of Divine things as reported in the Scriptures.

But Solomon's books of Natural Philosophy are lost.

And lastly, some of the rabbins and some Christians find in these shalishim the three senses of Scripture: 1. Literal; 2. Figurative; and 3. Allegorical.

After all, as we know the term thrice was used as the term seven, a certain number for an uncertain, (see Am 1:11; 2Co 12:8,) it may mean no more here than, I have written to thee often. But perhaps it is safer to apply it to the Scriptures, and the excellent doctrines they contain: for שלשים shalishim signifies also excellent, princely things; things which become a king to speak. Indeed, it would not be difficult to prove that there is not one important art or science which is not alluded to in the Holy Scriptures, and used to illustrate and inculcate heavenly truths.

2. These excellent, princely, or threefold teachings, consist of two grand parts:

1. COUNSELS, מעצות moetsoth, from יוץ yaats, to give advice, counsel, or information. These (1) show thee what thou shouldst know; and (2) advise thee what thou shouldst do.

2. KNOWLEDGE, דעת daath, from ידע yada, to perceive, or feel by means of the senses and internal perception; viz., what should be felt, experienced, known to be true by mental perception, and by their influence on the heart and affections.

V. All this is done to give the pupil the fullest satisfaction, and most plenary evidence concerning the truths of God.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(19) I have made known to thee this day, even to thee these counsels of the wise. The words, “this day,” recall the warning of Heb_3:13, and the emphatic “to thee, even to thee,” imply that the message of God, though it may be [general in its form, yet is addressed to each individual soul among His people (comp., “Ho, every one that thirsteth,” Isa_55:1); each being well known, and an object of love on the part of his Redeemer.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

19. made known] The R.V. made them known, makes the sense a little clearer.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That thy trust may be in the Lord,.... By means of the words of the wise, or doctrines of the Gospel, faith in Christ is first had; men are directed and encouraged hereby to believe in him; and by the same means faith is increased, confirmed, and established. This is the end of penning the Scriptures, and of the Gospel ministry, as follows:

I have made known to thee this day, even to thee; the said words and doctrines in the ministry of the word, by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of them; giving not only a notional, but a spiritual and experimental knowledge of them. The Lord has particular persons to whom he will make known these things in a saving way; it is "to thee, even to thee"; and to everyone whom God has chosen, and Christ has redeemed: and he has particular times and seasons for it, "this day"; which is a time of life and love; when darkness is removed, and the light of grace shines, and makes it day; and may respect the whole Gospel dispensation, which is the accepted time and day of salvation.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Even to thee - The wide general character of the teaching does not hinder its being a personal message to every one who reads it.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

That knowing God, and his word and promises, thou mayst cheerfully and confidently trust in him, which is the only way to thy safety and happiness.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

19, 20. Made known… excellent things — The latter verse should probably read: Have I not written to thee heretofore concerning counsel and knowledge? The reference is supposed to be to the previous efforts for the pupil’s edification, especially to the first part of the book, where the mode of address is, like the present, exceedingly direct.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That thy trust may be in the Lord. The Greek and Latin versions make this clause depend on the preceding verse. It is better to consider it as dependent on the second hemistich, the fact of instruction being placed after the statement of its object. All the instruction herein afforded is meant to teach that entire confidence in the Lord which, as soon as his will is known and understood, leads a man to do it at any cost or pains, leaving the result in God"s hands. I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee. The repetition of the personal pronoun brings home the teaching to the disciple, and shows that it is addressed, not merely to the mass of men, but to each individual among them, who thus becomes responsible for the use which he makes of it. (comp. Pro_23:15) The expression, "this day," further emphasizes the exhortation. The learner is not to remember vaguely that some time or other he received this instruction, but that on this particular day the warning was given. So in Heb_3:7, 13 we read, "As the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts....Exhort one another daily, so long as it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Septuagint, "That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known unto thee." Cheyne ("Job and Solomon") quotes Biekell"s correction of this verse, "That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, to make known unto thee thy ways;" but the alteration seems arbitrary and unnecessary.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

trust

(See Scofield "Psa 2:12").

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

v. 19. That thy trust may be in the Lord I have made known to thee this day, even to thee, for it is the author’s object to teach the fear of Jehovah by his precepts.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That your trust shall be in the Lord, I have made known to you I make known to you that you should trust in the Lord and engage in the Torah, and you shall not say, “How will I be idle from my work, and how will I earn a livelihood?”

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.