Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Pro 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
The Christian governing his tongue
Instead of simply commanding with supreme authority that men should keep their mouths and tongues, he graciously condescends to annex reward and blessings for its own sake. Keepeth his soul from troubles. In keeping of Gods commandments there is great reward. In proportion as any faculty is important in the use and rightful application of it, so is the neglect of it an evil, and the result of its perversion fatal in the same degree. The government of the tongue, on this principle, assumes at once its due importance. Consider the benefits that must accrue to society from the judicious use of this powerful organ on the part of those who in Gods providence are fitted to exert influence over their fellows. Consider the Christian governing his tongue, with especial reference to the law and will of God. Of the ten commandments two are assigned, one in each table, to this needful admonition. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. A careless, unreflecting use of the holy name betrays a trifling and unstable heart. But with reference to his neighbour, the Christian has the greatest need of caution as to the government of his tongue. What irreparable injury a severe remark, whether carelessly or wickedly whispered against the character of another, is sure to produce. It may be our duty to speak to the prejudice of others, but we must always be very sure that the duty is clear. In cases where the conduct of our neighbour appears doubtful, we are bound to give him the benefit of that doubt, and to feel towards him, and to speak of him, accordingly. When a Christian is reviled and calumniated, how is he to act? He should in patience possess his soul. One topic remains–the responsible office of the tongue, employed in preaching the gospel of salvation to perishing sinners. (Thos. Nolan, M. A.)
An unbridled tongue
A furious horse needs a bridle to restrain its fierceness, and it seems the tongue of man needs more than a double bridle to keep it in from doing hurt. The wise man never ceases to admonish us about this point. As a high-spirited horse, if its fury is not curbed with a strong hand, will hurry its rider along, without regarding pits, or precipices, or deep waters, and expose him to extreme jeopardy of his life, so an unbridled tongue will make a man hateful to God and men, plunge him into contentions and debates, and expose his estate, and life, and credit, to extreme danger. Who is the man that wishes to enjoy a quiet and peaceable life? Let him set a guard over his mouth, and refrain his tongue from profaneness and corrupt communication, from railing and reviling, and all evil speaking, from foolish talking, and from inconvenient jesting. Let prudence and the fear of God stand continually like sentinels at the door of his lips. (George Lawson, D. D.)
Keeping the tongue
When trouble is brewing, keep still. When slander is getting on its legs, keep still. When your feelings are hurt, keep still till you recover from your excitement, at any rate. Things look differently through an unagitated eye. Silence is the most massive thing conceivable sometimes. It is strength in its very grandeur. It is like a regiment ordered to stand still in the mid fury of battle. To plunge in were twice as easy. The tongue has unsettled more ministers than small salaries ever did, or lack of ability.
The government of the tongue
I. Such a government is necessary. Whoso keepeth his mouth and tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles. What troubles come through an ungoverned tongue?
1. Troubles on self.
(1) The troubles of moral remorse have often been brought into the soul through unguarded language.
(2) The troubles of social distress have often come upon a man through unguarded language. Friends have been sacrificed, enemies created, litigations commenced, and fines and penalties enacted.
2. Troubles on others. An ungoverned tongue is like a river, whose embankments have given way, spreading disasters through a whole neighbourhood. In America the Indians strike a spark from flint and steel, and thus set fire to the dry grass, and the flames spread and spread until they sweep like a roaring torrent over a territory as large as England, and men and cattle have to flee for their lives. An unguarded word can produce a social conflagration greater far.
II. Such a government is practicable. The tongue is not an involuntary organ, an organ that works irrespective of the will, like the heart and lungs; it is always the servant of the mind; it never moves without volition. Heaven has endowed us with a natural sovereignty equal not only to the government of the tongue, but to all the lusts and passions that set it in motion. A finer manifestation of moral majesty you can scarcely have than in reticence under terribly exciting circumstances. (Homilist.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue from offensive and provoking speeches, keepeth his soul, his person, from troubles; which a licentious and abusive tongue frequently brings upon a man.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. (Compare Pro 13:2;Pro 13:3; Jas 3:6-10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue,…. Guards the one and bridles the other; is careful of what he says, that it is truth, and without dissimulation and guile; and is not injurious to the characters of men, and is not offensive and provoking; who abstains from ill and wrathful language, and which tends to stir up wrath and contention. Aben Ezra distinguishes between the mouth and tongue, and interprets it, that keeps his mouth from eating, that is, immoderately and intemperately; and his tongue from speaking evil: but it is best to understand both of the same thing, of speech or language, which when a man is careful of, he
keepeth his soul from troubles; his conscience clear of guilt and distress, and his person from being concerned in quarrels, contentions, and lawsuits, which such who give their tongues too much liberty are involved in.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
23 He that guardeth his mouth and his tongue,
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Pro 13:3 resembles this. He guardeth his mouth who does not speak when he does better to be silent; and he guardeth his tongue who says no more than is right and fitting. The troubles comprehend both external and internal evils, hurtful incidents and ( ) , Psa 25:17; Psa 31:8, i.e., distress of conscience, self-accusation, sorrow on account of the irreparable evil which one occasions.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God. 2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must keep the mouth by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must keep the tongue also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no corrupt communication. By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Tongue Control
Verse 23- See comment on Pro 13:2-3.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(23) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, &cSee above on Pro. 12:13.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Keepeth his mouth Guards well his words. True! true! Comp. Pro 12:13; Pro 13:3; Pro 18:6; Pro 18:21.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 23. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
I include the whole under one view that the Reader may form his own conclusions under the Spirit’s guidings, and which I am persuaded will correspond to the sentiment the wise man closeth the chapter with. Whatever are our plans or our devices, the counsel of the Lord standeth sure. All our attainments are but as the strength of horses in battle; there can be no safety but in Jesus. If he be our portion all is well. If Christ be for us, who can be against us? But if void of him, he can make even our very comforts minister to our destruction. Reader! pray take in with these scriptures that blessed portion of the apostle’s, as a divine confirmation of the whole; Rom 8:31 to the end.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Ver. 23. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue. ] As he that keepeth his doors fast locked, preserveth himself from danger; See Trapp on “ Pro 13:3 “ The large and loose use of the tongue brings a man oft to divers straits and miseries.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
keepeth = guardeth.
mouth . . . tongue. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is uttered by them.
troubles. Some codices, with five early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “trouble” (singular)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 21:23
Pro 21:23
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
“Caution in speech has already been mentioned in Pro 21:13 and Pro 21:18-21 (See the comments there). The troubles referred to here are probably social and legal difficulties into which imprudent talk would bring one, especially where there were gossips and professional informers.
Pro 21:23. Pro 13:3 contains a similar truth. A godly man will keep his heart (Pro 4:23), will keep himself in the love of God (Jud 1:21), will keep himself unspotted from the world (Jas 1:27), and will keep his tongue (this verse). Would you keep yourself from many troubles? Then keep your mouth and your tongue. Most trouble springs from something that one says!
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Pro 10:19, Pro 12:13, Pro 13:3, Pro 17:27, Pro 17:28, Pro 18:21, Jam 1:26, Jam 3:2-13
Reciprocal: Psa 39:1 – that I Pro 10:14 – the mouth Pro 19:16 – keepeth his Jam 1:19 – slow to speak