SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:23
Sobre toda cosa guardada, guarda tu corazón; porque de él mana la vida.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:23
Verse 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence ] "Above all keeping," guard thy heart. He who knows any thing of himself, knows how apt his affections are to go astray. For out of it are the issues of life. ] µyyj twaxwt totseoth chaiyim, "the goings out of lives." Is not this a plain allusion to the arteries which carry the blood from the heart through the whole body, and to the utmost extremities? As long as the heart is capable of receiving and propelling the blood, so long life is continued. Now as the heart is the fountain whence all the streams of life proceed, care must be taken that the fountain be not stopped up nor injured. A double watch for its safety must be kept up. So in spiritual things: the heart is the seat of the Lord of life and glory; and the streams of spiritual life proceed from him to all the powers and faculties of the soul. Watch with all diligence, that this fountain be not sealed up, nor these streams of life be cut off. Therefore "put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips-and let thy eyes look straight on." Or, in other words, look inwardlook onward-look upward.
I know that the twenty-third verse is understood as principally referring to the evils which proceed from the heart, and which must be guarded against; and the good purposes that must be formed in it, from which life takes its colouring. The former should be opposed; the latter should be encouraged and strengthened. If the heart be pure and holy, all its purposes will be just and good. If it be impure and defiled, nothing will proceed from it but abomination. But though all this be true, I have preferred following what I believe to be the metaphor in the text.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence , etc.] The mind from vanity, the understanding from error, the will from perverseness, the conscience clear of guilt, the affections from being inordinate and set on evil objects, the thoughts from being employed on bad subjects; and the whole from falling into the hands of the enemy, or being the possession of Satan: great diligence had need be used in keeping it, since it is naturally so deceitful and treacherous; a strict eye is to be kept upon it; all the avenues to it to be watched, that nothing hurtful enters, or evil comes out; it is to be kept by all manner of means that can be thought of, by prayer, hearing, reading, meditation; and, above all, by applying to Christ for his grace and Spirit to sanctify, preserve, and keep it. Or, “above all keeping, keep thine heart” f98 ; though other things are to be kept, and care taken of them, as kingdoms and cities, and towns and families, and treasures and riches; yet the heart above all: for out of it [are] the issues of life ; of natural life: it is the seat of it, from whence all actions of life are derived; it is, as philosophers say, the first that lives, and the last that dies; and it is the seat of spiritual life the principle of it is formed in it; from whence all spiritual and vital actions flow, and which lead unto and issue in eternal life: as is a man’s heart, such is his state now, and will be hereafter; if the heart is quickened and sanctified by the grace of God, the man will live a life of faith and holiness here, and enjoy everlasting life hereafter: and if the heart is right, so will the actions of men be; they are regulated and denominated by it; they will then spring from right principles, and be directed to right ends, and performed with right views; great care therefore should be taken of the heart, since so much depends upon it, and it is so well known to God the searcher of it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-27 - The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compas some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but a a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there the shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a goo means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remed for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doin hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it ar the issues of life. Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus tha living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlastin life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and pervers lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straigh forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the step of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follo thee more closely for the time to come __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
מכל 3605 משׁמר 4929 נצר 5341 לבך 3820 כי 3588 ממנו 4480 תוצאות 8444 חיים׃ 2416
