John Gill Commentary Proverbs 3

My son, forget not my law
Or, "doctrine" ^F5 ; the doctrine of Christ, the Gospel, and the several truths of it; which, being of the utmost moment and importance, should be kept in memory, and not let slip, or be in the least slighted and neglected; see (Hebrews 2:1–3) ; but let your heart keep my commandments ;
as the ark, or chest, kept the two tables of the law put into it; it denotes a cordial affection for the commandments and ordinances of Christ, a hearty attention and obedience to them, and a constant and cheerful observance of them, flowing from love and gratitude to him, (John 14:15John 14:21) .

FOOTNOTES:

• F5: (ytrwt) "doctrinae meae", Piscator, Michaelis; "institutionem meam", Schultens; "doctrinam meam", Cocceius.

For length of days, and long life
Or, "years of life", or "lives" ^F6 ; a long life of usefulness and comfort here, and eternal life hereafter: the law of Moses promised a long life to the observers of it; but the Gospel of Christ brings an immortal life to light and promises to all believers in him that they shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. "Length of days for ever and ever" was asked by Christ of his Father, (Psalms 21:4) , and given him, and is in his right hand, (Proverbs 3:16) ;

it is in his power to give, and he does give it to all his children, people, and followers, (Psalms 21:4) (John 17:2) ; and peace shall they add to thee ;
the Gospel is the Gospel of peace, which not only proclaims peace by the blood of Christ; but the doctrines of it, such as justification by the righteousness of Christ, pardon by his blood, and atonement by his sacrifice, are the means of giving and increasing spiritual peace in the hearts of believers; and so are the ordinances of Christ, which in (Proverbs 3:17) ; are called, for that reason, "paths of peace"; see (Romans 5:1Romans 5:11) (Psalms 119:165) .

FOOTNOTES:

• F6: (Myyx twnv) "annos vitarum", Montanus.

Let not mercy and truth forsake you
Or, forsake not them, and the exercise of them; show "mercy" to fellow creatures, to sinful men, to the bodies of men, by relieving their wants; and to their souls, by pitying and praying for them, and by giving them wholesome counsel and advice: to fellow Christians, sympathize with them in their troubles, put on bowels of compassion, be tenderhearted, and forgive offences; and, in a spirit of meekness, restore backsliders, for God will have mercy, and not sacrifice. Attend to "truth"; exercise faith on the Lord; cast not away your confidence; speak truth to your neighbour and brother; and hold fast the truth of the Gospel, and never depart from it.

Though many interpreters understand this by way of promise, and as an encouragement to regard the doctrines and ordinances of Christ, rendering the words, "mercy and truth shall not forsake you" ^F7 ; meaning the mercy and truth of God; the "mercy" of God in forgiving sin, in sympathizing under affliction, in helping in time of need, in supplying with all needful grace, and in bringing to eternal life; for the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, upon them that fear him, (Psalms 103:17) ; the "truth" of God, his faithfulness in performing promises, never fails; the unbelief of man cannot make it of no effect; though we believe not, he abides faithful and true to every word of his; not one shall fail, or pass away; all shall be fulfilled; see (Psalms 89:33) (Romans 3:3Romans 3:4) (2 Timothy 2:13) ; "all [his] paths [are] mercy and truth", and he never goes out of them, (Psalms 25:10) ;

bind them about your neck ;
as chains for ornament: not mercy and truth, just before mentioned, as may seem at first sight; but the law and commandments of wisdom, (Proverbs 3:1) ; or the doctrines and ordinances of Christ; see (Proverbs 1:8Proverbs 1:9) ; reckon it as your greatest honour, glory, and beauty, that you steadfastly adhere to these things; nothing makes a believer look more lovely in conversation than a close regard to the truths of Christ, and a constant walking in his ordinances;

write them upon the table of your heart ;
do not forget them, keep them in memory, and always retain a hearty affection for them; it is the Spirit's work to write them in the heart; and when they are there written, it is the work of saints, under a divine influence, to copy them over in life, and to show by their conduct and behaviour that they are written there; see (Jeremiah 31:33) (2 Corinthians 3:3) . The allusion, in both phrases, is to the directions given about the law of Moses, (Deuteronomy 6:8Deuteronomy 6:9) ; and to the writing of his law on tables of stone: and it was usual with the ancients, in later times, to write on tables of wood; Solon's laws were written on tables of wood ^F8 ; and such were the "tabellae et pugillares" of the Romans, made of box, beech, and other sorts of wood, covered with wax, on which they wrote; (See Gill on Habakkuk 2:2); but Solomon would have his law written on the fleshly tables of the heart, (2 Corinthians 3:3) .

FOOTNOTES:

• F7: (Kbzey la) "non derelinquent te", Piscator; "non deserent te", Michaelis; so Aben Ezra and Gersom.
• F8: Laert, Vit. Solon. A. Gell. Noet. Attic. l. 2. c. 12.

So shall you find favour
Or "grace" ^F9 ; the grace of God, and larger measures of it; as Noah did, (Genesis 6:8) ; which are communicated to men when in the way of their duty: or good will, esteem, and respect, among men; as Joseph had with Potiphar, and the keeper of the prison, (Genesis 39:4Genesis 39:21) ; and good understanding in the sight of God and man ;
that is, to be taken notice of, regarded, and approved by both. Some render it "good success" ^F11 ; prosperity in things temporal and spiritual; see (Psalms 111:10) . There is something lovely, and of good report, in a close attention to the doctrines and duties of religion; which make a man amiable in the sight of others, and which is followed with a blessing from the Lord.

FOOTNOTES:

• F9: (Nx) "gratiam", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version
• F11: (bwj lkv) "successum optimum", Junius & Tremellius.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Not in a creature, the best, the holiest, and the highest; not in any creature enjoyment, as riches, strength, and wisdom; nor in any outward privilege, arising from natural descent and education; not in a man's self, in his own heart, which is deceitful; nor in any works of righteousness done by him; not in a profession of religion, or the duties of it, ever so well performed; not in frames, nor in graces, and the exercise of them; no, not in faith or trust itself: but in the Lord, the object of all grace, and in him only; in Jehovah the Father, as the God of nature and providence, for all temporal blessings; and as the God of all grace, for all spiritual blessings, and all the needful supplies of grace; and for eternal happiness, which he has provided, promised, and freely gives.

Trust in him at all times; in times of affliction, temptation, and darkness: there is a great deal of reason for it; all power and strength are in him to help; his love, grace, and mercy, move him to it, and are always the same: the consideration of what he has done for others that have trusted in him, and for ourselves in times past, should induce and encourage to it; as also the happiness of those that trust in him, who enjoy peace and safety; and his displeasure at those that show any diffidence of him, or distrust him.

Trust in Jehovah the Son; in his person for acceptance; in his righteousness for justification; in his blood for pardon; in his fulness for supply; in his power for protection and preservation; and in him alone for salvation and eternal life. Trust in Jehovah the Spirit, to carry on and finish the work of grace upon the heart; of which a saint may be confident that where it is begun it will be completed.

And this trust in Father, Son, and Spirit, should be "with all the heart", cordial and sincere. The phrase denotes not so much the strength of faith as the sincerity of it; it signifies a faith unfeigned; it is not saying, or professing, that a man believes and trusts in the Lord; but it is with the heart, and with his whole heart, that he believes unto righteousness, if he believes aright; see (Romans 10:10) (Acts 8:37) ;

and lean not unto your own understanding; or trust not to that; for it stands opposed to trusting in the Lord. Men should not depend upon their own wisdom and understanding, in the conduct of civil life, but should seek the direction and blessing of Providence, or otherwise will meet with disappointment; and, when they succeed, should ascribe it not to their own prudence and wisdom, but to the goodness of God; for "bread" is not always "to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding", (Ecclesiastes 9:11) ;

and much less should men lean to their own understanding in matters of religion; a natural man has no understanding of spiritual things, of the things of the Gospel, nor indeed any practical understanding of things moral, (Romans 3:11) (1 Corinthians 2:14) (Jeremiah 4:22) . The understanding of man is darkened by sin; yea, is darkness itself; it is like the first earth, covered with darkness, till light is let into it, and therefore not to be leaned unto and depended on, (Ephesians 4:18) (5:8) .

There is a necessity of a new heart and spirit, of an understanding to be given, in order to understand spiritual and divine things, (Ezekiel 36:26) (1 John 5:20) ; for though these are not contrary to the reason and understanding of men; yet they are above them, and cannot be discovered, reached, comprehended, and accounted for by them, (Matthew 16:17) (John 3:4John 3:9) . Nay, there are some things in the Gospel, which, though plain to an enlightened understanding by the word of God, yet the manner how they are cannot be apprehended: as the doctrines of a trinity of Persons; of the generation of the Son of God; the procession of the Spirit; the union of the two natures in Christ; the resurrection of the dead In short, not our reason and understanding at best, and much less as carnal and unsanctified, but the word of God only is our rule of judgment, and the standard of our faith and practice; and to that we should have recourse and be directed by it, and not lean to our own understandings.