Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 2:8
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
8. He keepeth ] Lit. to keep, which may mean, for them (those that walk in integrity) to keep, that they may keep, R.V. marg. But it is better to retain God as the subject still, and at the same time to preserve the parallelism with the 2nd clause of the verse. The two verses (7, 8) will then read, with R.V. text,
He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright,
He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
That he may guard the paths of judgement,
And preserve the way of His saints.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
saints – The devout and God-fearing. Compare Psa 85:8 etc. The occurrence of the word here, in a book that became more and more prominent as prophetic utterances ceased, probably helped to determine its application in the period of the Maccabean struggles to those who especially claimed for themselves the title of devout (Chasidim, the Asidaioi of 1 Macc. 7:13).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
He keepeth the paths of judgment; he guardeth and guideth the paths or ways, i.e. the counsels and actions, of good men, as the next clause explains this, which are called
paths of judgment, or righteous paths; judgment being here put for righteousness, as it is in Psa 99:4, and oft elsewhere. And keeping of paths may be put for keeping them in their paths, so as they shall neither swerve from them, nor stumble and fall in them. And preserve the way of his saints; the same thing repeated in other words.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. keepeth . . . wayGoddefends the right way, and those in it.
saintsobjects of favor(compare Ps 4:3, &c.). Heguides and guards them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He keepeth the paths of judgment,…. That is, the Lord keeps them; he does that which is just and right himself, in the course of his providence, and in the methods of his grace; and as he guides the feet of his people in the ways of righteousness and holiness, he keeps them there from turning out of them. The words may be rendered, “to keep the paths of judgment” q; and so expresses the end, fruit, and effect of the Lord’s being a buckler to them, as he is said to be in Pr 2:7: he is their shield and protection, so as either to keep them in the right ways in which they should go; or that they might studiously observe them, and keep walking therein, without stumbling in them, or declining from them;
and preserveth the way of his saints; to whom he has been kind and bountiful; or who have been merciful, liberal, and generous to others; who having partook of the grace of God themselves, are useful to men: the Targum calls them “righteous ones”. These the Lord preserves by his power and grace, in the way in which he has led them, and which is his own way, safe to his kingdom and glory: for none of his saints, his holy and righteous ones, shall ever perish; the way in which he directs them, and in which he keeps them, leads to everlasting life; see 1Sa 2:9.
q “ad custodiendum”, Pagninus, Montanus; “ad servandum”, Baynus, Schultens.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(8) He keepeth the paths of judgmenti.e., protects those who walk in them.
His saints.Or rather, His ardent worshippers (chasdm), a term used in the Pentateuch (Deu. 33:8) of the tribe of Levi, for their zeal in Gods service (Exodus 32), and of very frequent occurrence in the Psalter. The word saint rather implies dedication to God, as Israel was a holy nation (Exo. 19:6) to God, and Christians (Php. 1:1) are now in the same position. The term chsd, at the time of the Maccabees, was assumed by such as were voluntarily devoted to the law (1Ma. 2:42), in opposition to those who favoured the Greek religion and culture.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. He keepeth the paths of judgment He watches over the paths of justice; that is, to guard those who walk in them. This verse is an enlargement of the idea of the preceding one, especially of the defensive conception of the latter clause of Pro 2:7.
The way of his saints His pious, devout, or zealous ones. That is, he superintends them in all their walks and ways. The word , ( hhasadhim,) saints, occurs also in Psa 85:8; Psa 148:14; Psa 149:9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Pro 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Ver. 8. He keepeth the paths of judgment. ] Well may they walk uprightly that are so strongly supported. God’s hand is ever under his; they cannot fall beneath it. “He keepeth the feet of his saints.” 1Sa 2:9
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
He keepeth = for preserving. See note on Pro 4:23.
the paths of judgment = righteous paths.
preserveth, &c. Illustrations: David (1Sa 25:32-34; 1Sa 27:1. Compare 2Sa 22:1); Paul (2Co 12:7-9).
saints = favoured ones. Hebrew. chasidim. The first occurrence in Proverbs of this word which marks a later Jewish sect called chasidim or holy ones.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
keepeth: Pro 8:20, Psa 1:6, Psa 23:3, Psa 121:5-8, Isa 35:9, Isa 49:9, Isa 49:10, Joh 10:28, Joh 10:29
and: Pro 3:21-24, Deu 33:3, Deu 33:26-29, 1Sa 2:9, Psa 37:23, Psa 37:24, Psa 37:28, Psa 37:31, Psa 66:9, Psa 145:20, Jer 32:40, Jer 32:41, 1Pe 1:5, Jud 1:24
Reciprocal: Psa 15:2 – He Psa 16:1 – Preserve Psa 50:5 – my saints Psa 97:10 – preserveth Psa 121:3 – will not Psa 121:8 – thy going out Pro 3:23 – General Act 9:32 – the saints 1Co 6:7 – there
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 2:8-9. He keepeth the paths of judgment Hebrew, , To keep the paths, &c. It seems to be spoken of those who walk uprightly, mentioned in the preceding verse, and it would be better translated, That they, namely, the upright, may keep the paths of judgment: that is, God is a buckler, or defence, to the upright, to protect and keep them from those temptations and snares which would seduce them from, or prevent their continuance in, the paths of judgment; as it is further explained in the following clause. Then When thou hast done thy part, as expressed Pro 2:1-3, and God, in answer to thy desires, hath given thee wisdom, Pro 2:6. Shalt thou understand righteousness, &c. All the parts of thy duty to man, as well as the fear of God; every good path The practice of all virtues and graces.