SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:3
Misericordia y verdad no te desamparen; átalas a tu cuello, escríbelas en la tabla de tu corazón;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:3
Verse 3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee ] Let these be thy constant companions through life. Bind them about thy neck ] Keep them constantly in view. Write them upon the table of thine heart-let them be thy moving principles; feel them as well as see them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee , etc.] Or, forsake not them, and the exercise of them; show “mercy” to fellow creatures, to sinful men, to the bodies of men, by relieving their wants; and to their souls, by pitying and praying for them, and by giving them wholesome counsel and advice: to fellow Christians, sympathize with them in their troubles, put on bowels of compassion, be tenderhearted, and forgive offences; and, in a spirit of meekness, restore backsliders, for God will have mercy, and not sacrifice.
Attend to “truth”; exercise faith on the Lord; cast not away your confidence; speak truth to your neighbour and brother; and hold fast the truth of the Gospel, and never depart from it. Though many interpreters understand this by way of promise, and as an encouragement to regard the doctrines and ordinances of Christ, rendering the words, “mercy and truth shall not forsake thee” f55 ; meaning the mercy and truth of God; the “mercy” of God in forgiving sin, in sympathizing under affliction, in helping in time of need, in supplying with all needful grace, and in bringing to eternal life; for the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, upon them that fear him, ( <19A317> Psalm 103:17); the “truth” of God, his faithfulness in performing promises, never fails; the unbelief of man cannot make it of no effect; though we believe not, he abides faithful and true to every word of his; not one shall fail, or pass away; all shall be fulfilled; (see Psalm 89:33 Romans 3:3,4 2 Timothy 2:13); “all [his] paths [are] mercy and truth”, and he never goes out of them, ( Psalm 25:10); bind them about thy neck ; as chains for ornament: not mercy and truth, just before mentioned, as may seem at first sight; but the law and commandments of wisdom, ( Proverbs 3:1); or the doctrines and ordinances of Christ; (see Proverbs 1:8,9); reckon it as your greatest honour, glory, and beauty, that you steadfastly adhere to these things; nothing makes a believer look more lovely in conversation than a close regard to the truths of Christ, and a constant walking in his ordinances; write them upon the table of thine heart ; do not forget them, keep them in memory, and always retain a hearty affection for them; it is the Spirit’s work to write them in the heart; and when they are there written, it is the work of saints, under a divine influence, to copy them over in life, and to show by their conduct and behaviour that they are written there; (see Jeremiah 31:33 2 Corinthians 3:3). The allusion, in both phrases, is to the directions given about the law of Moses, ( Deuteronomy 6:8,9); and to the writing of his law on tables of stone: and it was usual with the ancients, in later times, to write on tables of wood; Solon’s laws were written on tables of wood f56 ; and such were the “tabellae et pugillares” of the Romans, made of box, beech, and other sorts of wood, covered with wax, on which they wrote; (see Gill on “ Habakkuk 2:2”); but Solomon would have his law written on the fleshly tables of the heart, ( Corinthians 3:3).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - In the way of believing obedience to God's commandments health an peace may commonly be enjoyed; and though our days may not be long upo earth, we shall live for ever in heaven. Let not mercy and trut forsake thee; God's mercy in promising, and his truth in performing live up to them, keep up thine interest in them, and take the comfor of them. We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, believing he is able and wise to do what is best. Those who know themselves, find their own understandings a broken reed, which, if they lean upon, will fail Do not design any thing but what is lawful, and beg God to direct the in every case, though it may seem quite plain. In all our ways tha prove pleasant, in which we gain our point, we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that prove uncomfortable, and tha are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge him with submission. It is promised, He shall direct thy paths; so that thy way shall be saf and good, and happy at last.
Original Hebrew
חסד 2617 ואמת 571 אל 408 יעזבך 5800 קשׁרם 7194 על 5921 גרגרותיך 1621 כתבם 3789 על 5921 לוח 3871 לבך׃ 3820
