on," signifies what is strn,ight in front of the soul. The po.sea.go reminds us of the one; adverbially, it bas tho same meaning "single eye" (li1r,\ous), "simple," i.e. intent as that given in the Authorized Version. on heaven nnd God, of Mo.tt. vi. 22. The corresponding "before" (ni!gi!d) is sub. Ver. 26.-Ponder the p&th of thy feet; stantively the side of any object which is properly, make straight or level the patli of opposite one, and as a preposition is equiva- thy feet. The command carries on the i<leo. lent to "before," "in the presence of," like of tbc previous verse. Simplicity of aim in the Latin coram. The versions (LXX., the moral life is to be accompo.nied by o.tten- Syriac, Targurn) take nokiikh in the sense tion to the moro.l conduct. The sense is, of" right things:" "Let thine eyes look at remove every obstncle which mo.y impede right things;" contemplate them, aim at or render insecure the wo.y of moral life, justice and equity. This meaning is given o.nd thus avoid every false step. The meo.n- to the cognate adjective nakoiikh in oh. viii. ing "to ponder," i.e. "to .weigh," seems to 9; xxiv. 26; Isa. xxvi. 10; xxx. 10; !ix. be given to the verb piilles, piel of the uu- 14; but in the Proverbs the word ,u5kiikh used piiliis here used only in Pa. !viii. 3 only occurs twice (here and ver. 21), either and possibly in oh. v. 21. Its ordinary sig- as an adverb, "right on," "straightfor- nification is " to make level, or even," as in wardly," or as a preposition, " before." Isa. xxvi. 7; xl. 12; and eh. v. 6. The Look straight. Gesenius takes this verb LXX. keeps this in view in rendering, yashiir in hiph., "to make straight," as used "Make straight paths for thy feet" ( cf. Heh. elliptically: "Let thine eyelids direct a way xii. 13). The Authorized Version would before thee; " but the meaning is the same mean, "Weigh your conduct as in a balance ; as "Let them look straight before thee." before acting, consider the consequences and The Syriac, Gejerus, and Holden render, nature of the act." The second clause, &nd "Let thine eyelids direct thy way before let all thy w&ys be established, is in effect thee;" i.e. do nothing rashly, but every- only a repetition of the preceding thought, thing with premeditation ; examine thy since it signifies, " See tho.t thy conduct is conduct, and see that it is right. The verb correct; let all thy ways be definite and yashiir has this meaning, " to direct," in eh. fixed." The marginal reading, "And all iii 6; xi. 5, but it is here used intransitively thy ways shall be ordered aright," gives the. (Mercerus). Eyelids (iiph'iippim); so called literal rendering to the tense; yikkonu being from their fluttering, rapid motion, here the future hiph. of kun, "to be established," nsed by way of poetic parallelism with "to stand firm." This. would express the " eyes." What the command inculcates is Te8ult of giving heed to one's conduct. simplicity of aim or principle, singleness of Ver. 27.-This verse, with which the motive. The moral gaze is to be steadily teacher closes this discourse, is very closely :fixed, because if it wanders indolently, lasci- connected with ver. 26, which it more fully viously, aimlessly, it imperils the purity of explains. The command is the parallel of the soul This verBC may be understood, !LS ver. 25. As in ver. 25, the gaze is to he Zockler, as containing a command levelled concentrated. So here the feet are not to against dishonest practices. The man who deflect nor turn aside to byways. Nothing intends to cheat his neighbour looks this is to be permitted to draw one off from the way and that how he may deceive him. right way, neither adversity, nor prosperity, Such an interpretation may be maintained nor anything which oan possess the power on the ground that the former verse is of temptation (llayne and Wardlaw). Re- directed against falsehood in speech; this move thy foot from evil. A fuller expres- against falsehood in action. But the former sion than "depart from evil," of eh. iii. 7. view is preferable. If you wish to keep the Both the LXX. and the Vulgote add, "For heart, you mui,t be guided by simplicity of the Lord knows the ways which ore on thy aim ; look not aside either to the one hand right band; but they are perverse which or to the other, lest you may be led a.stray are on thy left. He shall make thy paths by the seductions and temptations which straight, o.nd shall advnnce thy wo.ys in imperil the onward and upward progress of peace."
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-4.-.A family heirloom. I. DIVINE WISDOM 1B THE DEST 0~ FAMILY HEIRLOOMS. Solomon transmits to his son the instruction which he has received from his father. Thus he aims at making it an old household. treasu~c. H_e also. han~s down royal power, great possessions, national fame. But wisdom 1s to him an mhen- tance more precious tha? all othe~ things. 'l'he rest _may go rather than that th_e entail shall be cut off this most prized part of the family estate. It would be well 1f OH, IV, 1-27,] THE PROVERBS.