John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend , etc.] That is, friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved, ought to be kindly received; (see <19E105> Psalm 141:5); but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful ; flow from a deceitful heart, and not to be confided in, as the kisses of Joab and Judas. It may be rather rendered, “are to be deprecated” f745 ; prayed against, as real evils, hurtful and pernicious; and so the Targum renders it, “are evil”. Good is the advice of Isocrates f746 , “reckon them faithful, not who praise everything thou sayest or doest, but those that reprove what is amiss.”
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5, 6 - Plain and faithful rebukes are better, not only than secret hatred, but than love which compliments in sin, to the hurt of the soul.
Original Hebrew נאמנים539 פצעי6482 אוהב157 ונעתרות6280 נשׁיקות5390 שׂונא׃8130
