Proverbs 19:16

16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul, but he that despises his ways shall die.

Proverbs 19:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:16

He that keepeth the commandment
Either of parents, as children ought to do; or of masters, as servants should; or of kings and princes, as is the duty of subjects in all things lawful: or rather of God; every command of his, whether of a moral or positive nature, which, though they cannot be perfectly kept, yet should as much as in man lies, in faith, from a principle of love, and to the glory of God: and such a man keepeth his own soul,
or "observes" ^F19 it; he shows that he has a concern for its welfare and peace; for though peace does not arise from keeping the commandments of God, yet such have great peace of soul who do love and keep the law of God; though there is no reward for, yet there is a reward in keeping the divine commands; though salvation is not hereby, yet blessed are they that do his commands; by which it appears they have a right to enter into the city, into eternal happiness, ( Psalms 119:165 ) ( 19:11 ) ( Revelation 22:14 ) ; [but] he that despiseth his ways:
which are at and proper for him to walk in, as Aben Ezra observes; or who is negligent of his ways, does not care in what ways he walks, or what is the issue of them; he walks in the ways of his own heart, and in the sight of his eyes; has his conversation according to the course of this world; walks with a multitude, with a crowd, to do evil, in the broad road which leads to destruction, and yet is quite careless about it: or that despises the ways of the commandment or word of God, which that directs to; for that is a lamp and a light, which men would do well to take heed to, as it shows them the ways in which they should walk; but these they neglect and contemn: or he that despises the ways of God, the ways he himself takes in the salvation of men, all whose ways are mercy and truth; that despises the ways of peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation by Jesus Christ: he shall die;
he is dead in sins already, and he shall die the second death, that neglects and despises so great salvation, and all the ways of the Lord, ( Hebrews 2:3 ) ( 10:26-29 ) . There is a "Keri", or marginal reading, which we follow; but the "Cetib", or written text, is, "he shall be killed", or put to death; and so the Syriac version; immediately, by the hand of heaven, by the Lord himself, before his time; or by the judges and civil magistrates; his sins being openly known, as Aben Ezra.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (rmv) "observat".

Proverbs 19:16 In-Context

14 House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but the prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and the negligent soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul, but he that despises his ways shall die.

17 He that gives unto the poor lends unto the LORD, and he will give him his reward.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, but do not stir up thy soul to destroy him.