Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 31:6

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:" — Proverbs 31:6 (ASV)

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish. — For this is not waste, but an advantageous use of God’s gift. (Compare to Saint Paul’s advice, 1 Timothy 5:23.) It was out of a merciful remembrance of this passage that the pious ladies of Jerusalem used to provide a medicated drink for criminals condemned to be crucified, in order to deaden their pain. This was offered to our Lord (Matthew 27:34), but He would not drink it, as He wished to keep His mind clear to the last, and was willing to drink to the dregs the cup which His Father had given Him.