Proverbs 15:3

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.^[a]

Proverbs 15:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the Lord [are] in every place
Which are expressive of his omniscience, of the full, clear, distinct, and perfect knowledge, which he has of all creatures and things; so that nothing is hid from him, but all open and manifest to him; as they are to Christ the essential Word, ( Hebrews 4:13 ) ; and also of the providence of God with respect to all persons in general, and to his own people in particular; and as he is infinite and immense, omnipresent and in all places of the world, so his omniscience and providence reach everywhere, to places most distant and secret, and to persons in them, who cannot be concealed from him, since he fills heaven and earth, ( Jeremiah 23:23 Jeremiah 23:24 ) ; beholding the evil and the good;
meaning not evil things and good things, though that is true; the one he beholds with dislike, the other with pleasure; but evil men and good men: he beholds them as from a watch tower, as the word ^F21 signifies, from above, from heaven, where he is; see ( Psalms 33:13 Psalms 33:14 ) . By "evil" men may be meant both profane sinners and carnal professors; such as are more openly wicked, and declare their sin, as Sodom, or more secretly so; he sees into all the wickedness there is in their hearts, all their secret devices against his people; the works done by them in the dark, as well as their more open ones; and his eyes are upon all of them, to bring them into judgment at the last day: his eyes are particularly on the proud, to abase them; such as are under a disguise of religion, and have a form of godliness, he has his eyes upon; he sees through all their disguises; he knows on what foot they took up their profession; he discerns between that and true grace; he sees how they retain their lusts with their profession; observes the springs and progress of their apostasy; and will fix his eyes on the man without a righteousness, not having on the wedding garment, and order him into outer darkness. He also beholds "good" men; he sees all their bad things, their sins, and corrects them for them; their good things, their graces, and the exercise of them; their good works, the fruits of his own grace; their weaknesses, and supports and strengthens them; their wants, and supplies them; their persons, and never withdraws his eyes from them: these are on them continually, to protect and defend them; nor will he leave them till he has brought them safe to heaven; see ( 1 Chronicles 16:9 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (xwpwu) "prospectantes velut a specula", Michaelis; "speculatores", Schultens; "speculantes", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "speculatur", Cocceius.

Proverbs 15:3 In-Context

1 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but a person who heeds correction is sensible.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Ch 16:9; Zch 4:10