Bridges on Proverbs 3:1-2
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 3:1-2
 
 1-2 
 3-4 
 5-6 
 7-8 
 9-10 
 11-12 
 13-15 
 16-18 
 19-20 
 21-22 
 23-26 
 27-28 
 29-30 
 31-32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 

1.  ¶ My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. {long...: Heb. years of life}
 
THIS is not the stern language of command. It is our Father's voice in all the endearing persuasiveness of promise — My son — He had before instructed us to seek and search after wisdom, and set out before us its invaluable blessings. Now he calls us to bring it into practical exercise — Forget not my law. The willful forgetfulness of the heart (Chapter 2:17. Psalm 9:17; 10:4; Compare Chapter 4:5; Deuteronomy 4:23; Psalm 119:93, 176), not the infirmity of the memory (for which a special, though we fear too much neglected, help, is provided) (John 14:26) is here implied. Let thine heart, like the ark of the testimony, be the keeping-place of my commandments. (Chapter 4:4. Deuteronomy 11:18. Isaiah 51:7; with Ezekiel 11:20. Hebrews 9:4.) And is not this the child's desire — “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes”? (Psalm 119:6; Compare verses 69, 129), while his conscious helplessness takes hold of the covenant promise — “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33.)
Indeed no laws, but God's, bind the heart. All acceptable obedience begins here. The heart is the first thing that wanders from God; the first also that returns. Here is the vital principle. (Chapter 4:23. Romans 6:17.) All religion without it is a mere name; and, however the professor may practice a thousand arts to put life into it, all must fail, “The root being as rottenness, the blossom goes up as the dust.” (Isaiah 5:24.) If every moment were filled up with deeds of benevolence, or external piety; yet, except the heart was quickened to keep the commandments, the voice of rebuke would be heard — “Who hath required this at your hand?” (Isaiah 1:11, 12.) “The inner man's delight” (Romans 7:22) stamps the excellency upon the service. And this pleasure and perseverance in duty flow from a gracious change upon the heart. (See Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26, 27.)
Herein also lies our interest, not less than our obligation. The reward of this hearty obedience (need we add — a reward of grace?) is a long and happy life — the highest earthly good. (Psalm 34:12; compare verse 16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27; Job 10:12.) The wicked indeed live long, and the godly often “live out only half their days.” The wicked die in outward comfort; the righteous in outward trouble. (Ecclesiastes 9:2.) But length of days is the promise to the righteous; whether for earth or for heaven, as their Father deems fittest for them. In itself the promise, as regards this life, has no charm. To the ungodly it is a curse (Genesis 4:11-15. Isaiah 65:20); to the people of God a trial of faith and patience (Genesis 27:46; 47:9. 1 Kings 19:4. Job 7:16. Philippians 1:23, 24. Revelation 22:20); to all a weariness. (Chapter 15:15. Psalm 90:10. Ecclesiastes 12:1.) But peace added forms the sunshine of the toilsome way (Psalm 119:165. Isaiah 32:17; 48:17, 18): “peace with God through the blood of sprinkling” (Romans 5:1. Ephesians 2:13, 14. Colossians 1:20); eternal peace in his home and in his bosom (Psalm 37:37. Isaiah 57:2); where all the fightings of the rebellious flesh, all the counter-strivings of a perverse and ungovernable will, shall have ceased for ever. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they might have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gate into the city.” (Revelation 22:14.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 2:17
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
 
Psalm 9:17
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
 
Psalm 10:4
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. {God is...: or, all his thoughts are, There is no God}
 
Compare
Proverbs 4:5
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
 
Deuteronomy 4:23
23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
 
Psalm 119:93, 176
93 ¶ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 176 ¶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
 
 
John 14:26
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
 
 
Proverbs 4:4
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
 
Deuteronomy 11:18
18 ¶ Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
 
Isaiah 51:7
7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
 
with
Ezekiel 11:20
20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
 
Hebrews 9:4
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 119:6
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
 
Compare verses
Psalm 119:69, 129
69 ¶ The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 129 ¶ PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
 
 
Jeremiah 31:33
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
 
 
Proverbs 4:23
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. {with...: Heb. above all keeping}
 
Romans 6:17
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {which...: Gr. whereto ye were delivered}
 
 
Isaiah 5:24
24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. {fire: Heb. tongue of fire}
 
 
Isaiah 1:11, 12
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. {he goats: Heb. great he goats} 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? {to appear: Heb. to be seen}
 
 
Romans 7:22
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
 
 
Ezekiel 11:19
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
 
Ezekiel 36:26, 27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
 
 
Psalm 34:12
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
 
compare
Psalm 34:16
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
 
Proverbs 4:10
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
 
Proverbs 9:11
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
 
Proverbs 10:27
27 ¶ The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. {prolongeth: Heb. addeth}
 
Job 10:12
12 Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ecclesiastes 9:2
2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
 
 
Genesis 4:11-15
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 ¶ And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. {My...: or, Mine iniquity is greater than that it may be forgiven} 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill hiim.
 
Isaiah 65:20
20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
 
 
Genesis 27:46
46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
 
Genesis 47:9
9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
 
1 Kings 19:4
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. {for himself: Heb. for his life}
 
Job 7:16
16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
 
Philippians 1:23, 24
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
 
Revelation 22:20
20 ¶ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 15:15
15 ¶ All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
 
Psalm 90:10
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. {The days...: Heb. As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years}
 
Ecclesiastes 12:1
1 ¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
 
 
Psalm 119:165
165 ¶ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. {nothing...: Heb. they shall have no stumblingblock}
 
Isaiah 32:17
17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
 
Isaiah 48:17, 18
17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. 18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
 
 
Romans 5:1
1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
 
Ephesians 2:13, 14
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
 
Colossians 1:20
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. {having...: or, making}
 
 
Psalm 37:37
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
 
Isaiah 57:2
2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. {enter into: or, go in} {in his...: or, before him}
 
 
Revelation 22:14
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.