Bridges on Proverbs 2:7-9
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 2:7-9
 
 1-6 
 7-9 
 10-11 
 12-15 
 16-19 
 20-22 
 

7.  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
 
Vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:18) and foolishness 1 Corinthians 3:19) are the stamp on the wisdom of this world. Here is sound wisdom . It looks at things not in their notions, but in their proper substance. It is sound, because it is practical. It is indeed a hid treasure (Verse 4); so safe, that no spoiler can reach it; yet so free, that every sinner may have access to it. Yes; in the Son of God himself “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” All these treasures in him are laid up for the righteous — made over to them. (Colossians 2:3. 1 Corinthians 1:30.) Oh let us draw upon this infinite treasure daily, hourly, for light to direct an upright walk . ‘To those that are true and upright in heart, he will in his own good time reveal true and saving knowledge, and that sound spiritual wisdom, which shall make them eternally happy.’ Our faithful God is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (Proverbs 30:5. Psalm 84:11.) His wisdom covers us from that subtle sophistry, which would spoil us of our treasure. (Chapter 22:12.) The way of the saints is indeed fraught with danger; beset with temptation; yet is it safe (Chapter 4:11; 8:20. Deuteronomy 33:26-29. 1 Samuel 2:9. Psalm 37:23, 24; 56:9) — kept and preserved by Almighty power, even on the very edge of the enemy's ground. (1 Samuel 25:39; 27:1, with 29. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.)
Such also is the completeness of this godly privilege, that not only does it enlarge our knowledge of God (Verse 5), but it brings us to a full understanding of every practical obligation. Indeed that only is sound wisdom, that guides our feet into every good path; that “makes the man of God perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17.) The gracious wisdom that saves the soul, sanctifies the heart and life. (Titus 2:11, 12.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ecclesiastes 1:18
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
 
 
1 Corinthians 3:19
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
 
 
Proverbs 2:4
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
 
 
Colossians 2:3
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. {In whom: or, Wherein}
 
1 Corinthians 1:30
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
 
 
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. {pure: Heb. purified}
 
Psalm 84:11
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
 
 
Proverbs 22:12
12 ¶ The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. {the words: or, the matters}
 
 
Proverbs 4:11
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
 
Proverbs 8:20
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: {lead: or, walk}
 
Deuteronomy 33:26-29.
26 ¶ There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. 27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. 28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. 29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. {found...: or, subdued}
 
1 Samuel 2:9
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
 
Psalm 37:23, 24
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. {ordered: or, established} 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
 
Psalm 56:9.
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Samuel 25:39
39 And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
 
1 Samuel 27:1
1 ¶ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. {perish: Heb. be consumed}
 
with
1 Samuel 29.
1 ¶ Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel. 2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish. 3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day? 4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men? 5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 6 ¶ Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. {the lords...: Heb. thou art not good in the eyes of the lords} 7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. {displease...: Heb. do not evil in the eyes of the lords} 8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king? {with...: Heb. before thee} 9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. 10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. 11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
 
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 2:5
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
 
 
2 Timothy 3:15-17
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. {throughly...: or, perfected}
 
 
Titus 2:11, 12.
11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {hath...: or, to all men, hath appeared} 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Hall.