Albert Barnes Commentary Proverbs 20:27

"The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts." — Proverbs 20:27 (ASV)

The spirit of man - The "breath" of (Genesis 2:7), the higher life, above that which he has in common with lower animals, coming to him direct from God. Such a life, with all its powers of insight, consciousness, reflection, is as a lamp which God has lighted, throwing its rays into the darkest recesses of the heart. A still higher truth is proclaimed in the Prologue of John’s Gospel. The candle, or lamp of Yahweh, derives its light from the Light that lighteth every man, even the Eternal Word.