The precepts and warning next impressed are of a wider range and a more general moral character. The upright, the humble, the heedful, the wise, the pleasant of speech are pointed out and encouraged, with grave admonition to those who are otherwise.
“The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.
Pride [goeth] before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better [is it to be] a humble spirit with the poor [or, meek], than to divide the spoil with the strong (or, proud).
He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy [is] he.
The wise in heart is called intelligent (or, prudent), and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Wisdom [is] a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools [is] folly.
The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Pleasant words [are as] a honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (vers. 17-24).
In a world of evil and the multitude following evil, it is no small thing to depart from evil. For the believer was once like the rest; and it is the grace of God which acts on conscience through Christ, in Whom was no sin, and Who died for us and, our sins, that we might be forgiven and delivered. It is indeed the highway of the upright to depart from evil: but there is the positive side too: he that taketh heed to his way (and Christ is the way to the Christian) keepeth his soul.
Pride on the other hand is most offensive to Jehovah and dangerous, yea destruction, to man; and he is apt to be most lifted up when the blow falls; as we may see throughout scripture, a haughty spirit before a fall. So Nebuchadnezzar, where mercy interceded: so Haman, where was only judgment.
Next we have the good portion of the humble spirit with the meek; just as the Lord pronounced such souls blessed whether for the kingdom of the heavens, or inheriting the earth when the Heir of all things takes it, even He then sharing with the great, and dividing spoil with the strong. For it is the inauguration of the King reigning in righteousness, in contrast with this evil age.
Then we have a fine climax. He that gives heed to the word beyond a doubt shall find good; but if he also confide in Jehovah, which is better still, happy is he.
The wise in heart is called intelligent; and so he is, and inspires confidence. It differs much from what men call a long head, feared rather than trusted. And the sweetness of lips which accompanies that wisdom increases learning all round.
Wisdom is truly a fountain of life to him that has it, as he begrudges not its waters for those that have it not. The instruction of fools can be nothing but folly, and is fully exposed, because of the vain assumption to teach.
How different when the heart of the wise instructs his mouth, as it does; and adds learning to his lips! For there is not only profit but growth.
Such are indeed “pleasant words,” and they are as a honey-comb, sweet inwardly, and strengthening outwardly.