Bridges on Proverbs 16:17

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 16:17


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17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

The highway is the plain beaten path. The highway of the upright — his ordinary course of profession — is “the way of holiness” (Isaiah 35:8. Psalm 119:1-3) — departing from evil. Here let him be seen, peculiar in his practice as in his principles. Each of us have our own world of evil — an inner circle, where the conflict is far more sharp; where the need of divine discipline is far more sensibly felt, than in the grosser form of sin. Shew great forbearance to others, but none to ourselves. Admit no foibles or infirmities. Count nothing small, that hinders the completeness or consistency of profession. The real injury is not from our living in the world, but from the world living in us. So delicate is the vital principle, that it never can emit its glowing influence, except in the atmosphere of heaven.

To keep therefore this way is to preserve our soul. (Chapter 4:23-27; 19:16.) Indeed ‘if religion did possess sincerely and sufficiently the minds of all men, there would need no other restraint from evil.’† Joseph was thus saved (Genesis 39:9, 10): while David, forsaking the path, fell into a grievous sin. (2 Samuel 11:2.) The quick perception of evil — the sensibility of danger from lawful things — at once proves our heavenly birth, and covers us from many subtle devices. (1 John 5:18.) “The unclean shall not pass over this highway; but the redeemed shall walk there.” (Isaiah 35:8, 9.)

Isaiah 35:8

Psalm 119:1-3

1 ¶ ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. {undefiled: or, perfect, or, sincere} 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

Proverbs 4:23-27

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.

Proverbs 19:16

16 ¶ He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

Footnote:

Hooker, Eccl. Pol. B. v. c. i. 2.

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.

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.

1 John 5:18

18 ¶ We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. {is born: Gr. has been born}

Isaiah 35:8, 9

8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. {but...: or, for he shall be with them} 9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: