Charles Ellicott Commentary Proverbs 6:23

"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:" — Proverbs 6:23 (ASV)

For the commandment is a lamp ...— Compare to Psalms 19:8, Psalms 119:98–100, and Psalms 119:104-105. The servant of God may often feel much perplexity as to his duty, darkness may seem to have settled down upon his path. But there is always some “commandment,” or positive order, about which he can have no doubt, calling for his immediate obedience; there is always some “law,” or rather “instruction” in God’s Word offering itself as his guide; there are always some “reproofs of discipline,” that is, he knows he has certain things to shun, others to follow, for the purpose of self-discipline.

It is by following these parts of his duty, which are, as it were, a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19), that he truly comes to know, and that he prepares himself for more light and clearer vision; then God opens his eyes that he may behold wondrous things out of His law (Psalms 119:18); because he has some knowledge of God’s will and desire to do it, more is given to him (Matthew 13:12), and his path becomes continually clearer, shining more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).