Proverbs 4:4

4 Then he ¹taught me and said to me, "Let your heart ²hold fast my words; ³Keep my commandments and live;

Proverbs 4:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:4

He taught me also, and said unto me
The Targum is,

``they taught me,''

his father and his mother; and so the Septuagint version,

``who said and taught me;''

and the Arabic version,

``they both taught me, and said unto me;''

but in the Hebrew it is singular, and is restrained to the father. He taught him when he was very young, and also gave him instructions when he was older, and a little before his own death; see ( 1 Chronicles 28:8 1 Chronicles 28:9 ) ( 29:1 ) ; he taught him by the several psalms he wrote; some of which are called "maschil", instructive or causing to understand; two of them particularly were written for him, the seventy-second and the hundred twenty-seventh psalms; he taught him in the following words. How far the words of David his father reach is not agreed on, on all hands; some think they end with ( Proverbs 4:5 ) ; others with ( Proverbs 4:6 ) , others with the ( Proverbs 4:9 ) , and the words of Solomon begin at ( Proverbs 4:10 ) : some will have it that they take in the whole chapter, which is not probable; nay, others say that the whole of the book following is his, which can by no means be agreed to: it seems most likely to me that they end at ( Proverbs 4:6 ) , and at most are not to be carried beyond ( Proverbs 4:9 ) ; let thine heart retain my words:
says David to his son: the instructions he gave him by word of mouth, concerning his moral behaviour, relating to political things, the government of the people; and especially such as concerned the everlasting welfare of his soul, or were about Wisdom or Christ, and the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; these he would have him lay up in his heart, and keep them there, as a rich treasure, to have recourse unto upon all occasions; keep my commandments, and live:
which commandments may respect him both in his private and public capacity, and in a religious and political one; how he should behave as a man, a king, and one that feared God: as well as they may respect his orders for the building of the temple, and settling and establishing the worship of God in it; by observing which he would live comfortably and honourably, and to a good old age.

Proverbs 4:4 In-Context

2 For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

3 When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

4 Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;

5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

Cross References

• 1. Ephesians 6:4
• 2. Psalms 119:168
• 3. Proverbs 7:2