A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
Diligence in hearing and praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of godliness, the fear of God.
hide . . . with thee--lay up in store (compare Pro 7:1).
Listen attentively and reflect seriously (Pro 1:24; Psa 130:2).
understanding--right perception of truth.
Yea, if--literally, "When if," that is, in such a case.
knowledge--or, "discrimination."
understanding--as in Pro 2:2.
There must be earnest prayer and effort.
understand--or, "perceive intelligently."
find--obtain.
For--God is ready (Jam 1:5; Jam 4:8).
out of his mouth--by revelation from Him.
sound wisdom--literally, "substance," opposed to what is fictitious. According to the context, this may be assistance, as here corresponding with
buckler--or safety, or wisdom, which procures it (compare Pro 3:21; Pro 8:14; Pro 18:1; Job 6:13; Job 12:13).
layeth up--provides, ever ready.
keepeth . . . way--God defends the right way, and those in it.
saints--objects of favor (compare Psa 4:3, &c.). He guides and guards them.
Then--emphatic, in such a case.
righteousness . . . path--all parts of duty to God and man.
Idea of Pro 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pro 2:2 and Pro 2:4.
To deliver--as from great danger (Pro 6:5).
way . . . man-- (Psa 1:1).
froward things--perversity (Pro 6:14; Pro 23:23), what is opposed to truth.
paths of uprightness--or, "plainness."
walk--habitually act;
and that with pleasure, in ignorance of good and pursuit of evil.
frowardness--Not only their own perversity, but that of others is their delight. They love most the worst things.
crooked--tortuous, unprincipled.
froward--literally, (they) are going back, not only aside from right, but opposite to it.
Deliverance from another danger.
the strange woman--This term is often used for harlot, or loose woman (Jdg 11:1-2), married (Pro 7:5, Pro 7:19) or not (Kg1 11:1), so called, because such were, perhaps at first, foreigners, though "strange" may also denote whatever is opposed to right or proper, as "strange fire" (Num 3:4); "strange incense" (Exo 30:9).
flattereth--literally, "smooths."
her words-- (Psa 5:9).
guide . . . youth--lawful husband (Jer 3:4).
covenant . . . God--of marriage made in God's name.
inclineth--sinks down (compare Num 13:31).
the dead--or shades of the departed (Psa 88:10).
that is, such as remain impenitent (compare Ecc 7:26).
paths of life-- (Psa 16:11), opposed to paths unto the dead.
That . . . way of good--that is, Such is the object of these warnings.
(Compare Psa 37:3, Psa 37:9, Psa 37:22, Psa 37:27).
transgressors--or impious rebels (compare Jer 9:2).
rooted out--utterly destroyed, as trees plucked up by the roots.