Bridges on Proverbs 4:23-27

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 4:23-27


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23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. {with...: Heb. above all keeping} 24. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. {a froward...: Heb. frowardness of mouth and perverseness of lips} 25. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26.† Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. {let...: or, all thy ways shall be ordered aright} 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Invaluable are these rules as our safeguard. Assaulted as we are at every point, every inlet of sin must be strongly guarded — the heart — the mouth — the eye — the feet.

First — the heart — the citadel of man† — the seat of his dearest treasure. It is fearful to think of its many watchful and subtle assailants. Let it be closely garrisoned. Let the sentinel be never sleeping on his post. “Take heed to thy way, and keep thy soul diligently.” (Deuteronomy 4:9.)

But the heart must be known in order to be effectually kept. Nothing is more difficult, while nothing is more necessary. If we know not our hearts, we know nothing to any purpose. Whatever else we know, to neglect this knowledge is to be a fool at the best. If we know not our weak points, Satan knows them well — “the sins that most easily beset us.”

Then when I know my heart, and feel it to be so dangerous, and in such dangers, the question forces itself upon me — ‘Can I keep my heart?’ Certainly not. But, though it be God's work, it is man's agency. Our efforts are his instrumentality. He implants an active principle, and sustains the unceasing exercise. (Philippians 2:12, 13. Jude 24 with 21.) Conscious faith “commits the keeping of the heart to our faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19. Psalm 25:20.) This done — in his strength and guidance diligently improve all the means of preservation. Watch unto prayer. Cherish an humble dependent spirit. Live in the atmosphere of the word of God. Resist the admittance of an evil world, even in its most plausible forms. (Judges 8:22, 23. 2 Kings 5:5, 16.) Here lies the conflict to the end. ‘The greatest difficulty in conversion is to win the heart to God, and after conversion to keep it with him.’† ‘What is there’ — asks Mede — ‘that will not entice and allure so fickle a thing as the heart from God?’† Above all keeping — exhorts the wise man — keep thine heart. Here Satan keeps — here therefore must we keep — special watch. If the citadel be taken, the whole town must surrender. If the heart be seized, the whole man — the affections, desires, motives, pursuits — all will be yielded up. The heart is the vital part of the body. A wound here is instant death. Thus — spiritually as well as naturally — out of the heart are the issues of life. It is the great vital spring of the soul, the fountain of actions, the centre and the seat of principle,† both of sin and of holiness. (Matthew 12:34, 35.) The natural heart is a fountain of poison. (Ib. 15:19.) The purified heart is “a well of living water.” (John 4:14. Compare chapter 14:14.) As is the fountain, so must be the streams. As is the heart, so must be the mouth, the eyes, the feet. Therefore, above all keeping, keep thine heart. Guard the fountain, lest the waters be poisoned. (Compare Genesis 26:18-21.) Many have been the bitter moments, from the neglect of this guard. All keeping is vain, if the heart be not kept.

But with this keeping, let us not forget to guard the outlets of sin! (Chapter 13:3.) What a world of evil does the heart pour out from the froward mouth! (James 3:5-6.) Commit, therefore, both heart and mouth to Divine discipline. (Psalm 19:13; 141:3, 4.) Then let prayer and faith be the practical principles of Christian watchfulness. Not only shun, but put away — yea — far from thee — the perverse lips. Their evil — be it remembered — extends beyond ourselves. Even should the peace-speaking blood speak peace to ourselves, still will remain the painful sense of injury to our fellow-creatures, perhaps without remedy.

Next to the heart and mouth — keep thine eyes — “the light of the body” (Matthew 6:22), the directive faculty of the soul. Yet too often are they a most dangerous inlet to sin. (Genesis 3:6; 6:2; 39:7. Matthew 5:28. 2 Peter 2:14.) Therefore, like Job, “make a covenant with them.” (Job 31:1.) Place them under heavenly restraint. (Psalm 119:37.) Let them look right on, ‘like one ploughing, who must not look back.’† Look straight before us. Had Eve done so, she would have looked on the command of her God, not on the forbidden tree. (Genesis 3:3-6.) Had Lot's wife looked straight before, instead of “behind her,” she would, like her husband, have been a monument of mercy. (Genesis 19:17, 26.) Achan was ruined by neglecting this rule of wisdom. (Joshua 7:21.) David's example calls the holiest of us to godly jealousy.† In asking the way to Zion, be sure that your “faces are thitherward.” (Jeremiah 50:5.) The pleasure of sin, and the seductions of a tempting world, do not lie in the road. They would not therefore meet the eye looking right on — straight before us. They belong to the bye-paths on the right hand and on the left, or to some backward track. It is only therefore, when the Christian lingers, turns aside, or turns back, that they come in sight. Take the racer's motto — “This one thing I do.” Eye the mark, and press to it. (Philippians 3:12-14.) Onwards — upwards — heavenwards.

Lastly, keep your feet. Oh! has not experience, no less than Scripture, shown your need of a circumspect walk? (Ephesians 5:15.) Snares are laid out for every path, yea for every step in your path; for your meat, your drink, your calling — perhaps more than all — for the service of God. What deep pondering should there be in a path so beset with danger! Every step should be carefully weighed. (Genesis 24:5. Psalm 39:1. Daniel 1:8; 6:3, 4.) Joseph pondered, and thereby established his way. (Genesis 39:9, 10. Compare verses 14, 15.) Peter, neglecting to ponder, was fearfully sifted. (Matthew 26:58, 69-75.) David also, looking at the trial of the path, instead of pondering its direction, brought shame upon himself (1 Samuel 27. - 29.); like the trouble, which Christian made for himself in the smooth exchange of Bye-path meadow for the rough and strait road. ‘The habit of calm and serious thinking makes the real difference between one man and another.’†

Here, then, is the voice of wisdom. Beware of mistaking presumption for faith, temptations for Providential appointments. Never forsake a plain for a doubtful command. (1 Kings 13:18-22.) Estimate every step by its conformity to the known will of God. Dare not to advance one step without God. (Joshua 9:14.) In his path you may “tread upon the lion and adder” without hurt. (Psalm 91:11-13.) But who shall venture into a path of his own choosing, without a wound? See that “your feet are straight,” like those of the Cherubim.† “The pleasures of sin” lie on the right hand and on the left. The eyes therefore, looking right on, escape the sight. The pondering foot is established in steady perseverance; and, by marking small deviations (See Ecclesiasticus 19:1), and never turning out of the straight path to avoid a cross, is removed from evil.

May we all have grace and wisdom to ponder these sound practical rules! The man of God must only have one standard. (Isaiah 8:20.) He must “know no man after the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 5:16.) He must often put aside the Church, no less than the world, that he may listen more closely to the command — Walk before me. (Genesis 17:1.) He must discern and crush the first motions of corruption; guarding every avenue of sin — the senses — the memory — the imagination — the touch — the taste. He must walk by the straight rule of the Gospel; else will he not only bring discomfort upon himself, but stumbling to the Church. (Galatians 2:11-14.) A single eye, steadily fixed upon the One Object, will make the path luminous. (Matthew 6:22.) Straightforward progress will insure prosperity. (Deuteronomy 17:20. Joshua 1:7, 8.) Keeping the middle path, and daily lifting up the voice for restraint and guidance. (Psalm 119:37; 143:8-10.)

“Thine ears shall hear the word behind thee, saying, This is the way: walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”†

Footnote:

Schultens.

Deuteronomy 4:9

9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Philippians 2:12, 13

12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Jude 24

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

with

Jude 21

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

1 Peter 4:19

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Psalm 25:20

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Judges 8:22, 23

22 ¶ Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. 23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

2 Kings 5:5, 16

5 And the king of Syria said, Go now, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand {1} pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. {1) Or, shekels} 16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

Footnote:

Flavel's Saint Indeed — a searching and valuable Treatise.

Footnote:

See his valuable sermon on this text.

Footnote:

Schultens.

Matthew 12:34, 35

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Matthew 15:19

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

John 4:14

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Compare

Proverbs 14:14

14 ¶ The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Genesis 26:18-21

18 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19 And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. {springing: Heb. living} 20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. {Esek: that is, Contention} 21 And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah. {Sitnah: that is, Hatred}

Proverbs 13:3

3 ¶ He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

James 3:5, 6

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {a matter: or, wood} 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. {course: Gr. wheel}

Psalm 19:13

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. {the great: or, much}

Psalm 141:3, 4

3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Matthew 6:22

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Genesis 3:6

6 ¶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. {pleasant: Heb. a desire}

Genesis 6:2

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Genesis 39:7

7 ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Matthew 5:28

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

2 Peter 2:14

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: {adultery: Gr. an adulteress}

Job 31:1

1 ¶ I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Psalm 119:37

37 ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. {Turn...: Heb. Make to pass}

Footnote:

Cartwright. Compare Luke 9:62.

Luke 9:62

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Genesis 3:3-6

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 ¶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. {pleasant: Heb. a desire}

Genesis 19:17, 26

17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 26 ¶ But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Joshua 7:21

21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. {wedge: Heb. tongue}

Footnote:

2 Samuel 11:2. Mede, ut supra.

2 Samuel 11:2

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Jeremiah 50:5

5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:15

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Genesis 24:5

5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?

Psalm 39:1

1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.} I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. {my mouth...: Heb. a bridle, or, muzzle for my mouth}

Daniel 1:8

8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel 6:3, 4

3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Genesis 39:9, 10

9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Proverbs 4:14, 15

14 ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Matthew 26:58, 69-75

58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 69 ¶ Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

1 Samuel 27 - 29

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} 2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. 4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. 5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? 6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day. 7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. {the time: Heb. the number of days} {a full year: Heb. a year of days} 8 ¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt. {Gezrites: or, Gerzites} 9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish. 10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. {Whither...: or, Did you not make a road, etc} 11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines. 12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever. {utterly...: Heb. to stink}

1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men. 2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever. 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. 4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. 5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. 7 ¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. 8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. 9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? 10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. 11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. 13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. {What...: Heb. What is his form?} 15 ¶ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. {by prophets: Heb. by the hand of prophets} 16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 17 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: {to him: or, for himself} {me: Heb. mine hand} 18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. 19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. 20 ¶ Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. {fell...: Heb. made haste, and fell with the fulness of his stature} 21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me. 22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way. 23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. 24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof: 25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

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.

Footnote:

Dr. Abercrombie.

1 Kings 13:18-22

18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. 19 So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. 20 And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: 21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, 22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.

Joshua 9:14

14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. {the men...: or, they received the men by reason of their victuals}

Psalm 91:11-13

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. {adder: or, asp}

Footnote:

Ezekiel 1:7-9. Compare Hebrews 12:13. Nearly the LXX. translation of the last clause of verse 26.

Ezekiel 1:7-9

7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. {straight...: Heb. a straight foot}

Compare

Hebrews 12:13

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. {straight: or, even}

See Ecclesiasticus 19:1

1 A workman that is a drunkard shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things, shall fall by little and little.

Isaiah 8:20

20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. {no...: Heb. no morning}

2 Corinthians 5:16

16 ¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Genesis 17:1

1 ¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. {perfect: or, upright, or, sincere}

Galatians 2:11-14

11 ¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Matthew 6:22

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Deuteronomy 17:20

20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Joshua 1:7, 8

7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. {prosper: or, do wisely} 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. {have...: or, do wisely}

Psalm 119:37

37 ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. {Turn...: Heb. Make to pass}

Psalm 143:8-10

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. {flee...: Heb. hide me with thee} 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Footnote:

Isaiah 30:21. Compare Deuteronomy 2:27; 5:32. The LXX. and Vulgate add here — ‘For God knows the ways on the right hand. But those on the left are crooked. But he shall make straight thy paths, and advance thy goings in peace.’ Geier remarks — ‘We have no ear for these words, as not belonging to the holy fountain. We leave them to the Papists.’ Cartwright's exposition of this middle path is valuable. ‘It is as if the royal way was hemmed in by the sea, and a fall over either side were danger of drowning. Some are too greedy; others too ascetic. Some are too bold; other too diffident. Some neglect the Mediator; others seek new Mediators. Some flee the cross; others make one. Some tamper with Popery; others, from the dread of it, hazard the loss of valuable truth.’

Isaiah 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Compare

Deuteronomy 2:27

27 Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32

32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.