Proverbs 23:26

“My son, give me thine heart, etc.] These words are not the words of Solomon to his son, for a greater than Solomon is here; besides, the claim and possession of the heart do not belong to a creature, but to God; but they are the words of Wisdom, or Christ, to everyone of his sons, the children the Father has given him in covenant; who are adopted through him, regenerated by his Spirit and grace, begotten by his word and ministers as instruments, and born and brought up in his church, and to whom he stands in the relation of the everlasting Father. The heart of a wicked man is little worth, and not worth having; Satan has the possession of it, and fills it, and influences and draws it at his…”

“A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Hos 4:11). give me--This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented (Pro 8:1; Pro 9:3, &c.). heart--confidence. observe--keep. my ways--such as I teach you (Pro 3:17; Pro 9:6).”

“Another continuous exhortation rather than a collection of maxims. Proverbs 23:16 The teacher rejoices when the disciple’s heart Proverbs 23:15 receives wisdom, and yet more when his lips can utter it. Reins - See Job 19:27 note. Proverbs 23:17 Envy sinners - Compare in Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3; the feeling which looks half-longingly at the prosperity of evil doers. Some connect the verb “envy” with the second clause, “envy not sinners, but envy, emulate, the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 23:18 Or, For if there is an end (hereafter), thine expectations shall not be cut off. There is an implied confidence in immortality. Proverbs 23:20 Riotous eaters of flesh - The word is the same as “glutton”…”

“Give me - Solomon here speaks in God's name. Proverbs 23:30”

“23:26-28 Saying 17: Falling for a promiscuous woman is a trap, not a source of benefit. Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes avoiding sexual relations outside of marriage (see ch 5; 6:20-35; 7:1-27).”

“My son: Pro 23:15 give: Pro 4:23; Deu 6:5; Mat 10:37, Mat 10:38; Luk 14:26; Co2 5:14, Co2 5:15, Co2 8:5; Eph 3:17 let: Pro 4:25-27; Psa 107:43, Psa 119:2, Psa 119:9-11; Hos 14:9; Pe2 1:19 Proverbs 23:27”

“This hexastich warns against unchastity. What, in chap. 1-9, extended discourses and representations exhibited to the youth is here repeated in miniature pictures. It is the teacher of wisdom, but by him Wisdom herself, who speaks: 26 Give me, my son, thine heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways. 27 For the harlot is a deep ditch, And the strange woman a narrow pit. 28 Yea, she lieth in wait like a robber, And multiplieth the faithless among men We have retained Luther's beautiful rendering of Pro 23:26, (Note: The right punctuation of 26a is תּנה־בני לבּך, as it is found in the editions: Ven. 1615; Basel 1619; and in those of Norzi and Michaelis.) in which this proverb, as a warning…”