The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29
The Lord Sees Everything.
15:1 A soft answer has practical value. But the verse also implies that it sets a standard of conduct. A Talmud comment on this verse commends, “they who are oppressed and oppress not, who listen to insults without retorting, who act lovingly and are happy under trials.”
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:3 That the eyes of the Lord are in every place watching everything chills those who do evil and comforts those who submit to Him.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
15:6 One house is a blessing and the other is ruinous; the reason for this lies in how the house was acquired and how it is being used. The house of the righteous contains great treasure because it is founded on wisdom and a proper response to God. On the other hand, the wicked never gain enough to suit them, and lose what they have because of their deceptive ways.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
15:7 People reveal who they are by what they say. The fool cannot help but speak foolishness.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
15:8, 9 Worship from those who are not contrite or humble is an abomination to God. From Gen. 4 to John 4 Scripture contrasts good and bad worship (John 1:11-15). Verse 9 speaks of yet another abomination to the Lord – the course of life taken by the wicked.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
15:14 The person with an understanding heart, another description of the wise, is never satisfied with what he or she knows. The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge are life-long occupations – never fully realized in this lifetime. But fools, not knowing the extent of their ignorance, continue to pursue folly.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15:15 Our disposition rather than our circumstances is the key to enjoying life.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
15:26 Many proverbs focus on what God hates. Evil thoughts, for one, disgust Him. There is no such things as “private thoughts.” We should pray with David that our words and the meditation of our hearts would be acceptable in God’s sight (see Ps. 19:14).
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
15:27 A person who is free of an eager desire for wealth has the advantage over the driven materialist. The thought here may be that the greedy man troubles his house by ultimately being punished, and his family then experiences hardship. But it is more likely that he troubles his family by instilling his children with values that bring spiritual disaster.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
15:33 Knowledge alone does not make a person wiser; the fear of the Lord must accompany it. The same is true of honor.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
** It is a good thing that the Lord knows everything and sees everything. We, Christians, may feel that we are alone in this world and we should fend for ourselves against the wicked. But the simple, comforting truth is that God is watching. We are going through the course devised by Him according to His plan. When feeling afraid, think of the eyes of the Lord. No evil intents, thoughts and acts can escape His watchful eyes. We are safe.
15 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
