Pro 16:22 | KingComments | STEP | One conclusion we can draw from both lines of is that “he who gives attention to the word ... trusts in the LORD”. Conversely, we can say that he who trusts in the LORD will give attention to the Word of God. “He who gives attention to the word” is literally “the wise dealing with the word”. This makes it a little clearer that it is not an occasional giving attention to the Word, but that what is meant is the daily, ongoing giving attention to the Word of God. It is about what God says and not what a person himself says. Giving attention to the Word of God involves listening to its teaching. He who listens in that mind and so lives with God’s Word “will find good”. He will find in it the true meaning of life, that is Christ. He is the personification of the good. He is the Good. That what matters is what God says and not the person being addressed here is evident from the second line of verse. Giving attention to what God says involves trusting Him. The trusting one is he who continually trusts. He who does so can truly be called “blessed”. He will receive all kinds of blessing ( ). Through His Word, the LORD provides good things for those who pay attention to His Word, for those who take it seriously. That a person is wise in heart will be evident in his speaking and his silence and his whole conduct ( ). Others will notice it and people will call him “wise”, a man of understanding, one who speaks with knowledge. His wise words will give him a reputation for competence and the opportunity to exert a beneficial influence on those around him. His manner of speaking makes it a pleasure to listen to him. His words are sweet or pleasant. They are kind words spoken with a certain gracefulness. There is no bitterness or sharpness in them. What he says builds up the listener, it gives him a greater understanding of that which is being spoken about. His words of teaching are well received because they are persuasive. The wise in heart is “able to teach” ( ). The “fountain of life” that possessors of understanding have in their understanding ( ) is given to them by God. That fountain is a refreshment not only for the possessors, but also for all around them. The New Testament believer also possesses such a fountain. Of that, it is said that rivers of living water flow from his inside to others to refresh them ( ). That refreshment can only flow to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Paul was a fountain of life by the power of the Spirit in proclaiming the gospel and strengthening believers ( ). We too can be that, for we too have been given the understanding by which we know Him Who is true ( ). It is the understanding that was first darkness ( ), but is now opened and enlightened by the Spirit of Christ, enabling us to understand the Scriptures ( ). With the knowledge we have of Him, we can serve others and thus become a fountain of life for others. With the fool there is no fountain of life. Fools have nothing in them but a fountain of folly. When they say something about discipline, it is nothing but foolishness. Whoever listens to it becomes equal to fools. He who has a wise heart will be instructed by his heart to say wise things ( ). He will also know when to speak and to whom. He not only speaks well-chosen words that the other person understands, but his words are instructive and increase the understanding of him to whom he speaks. What the wise person says is not only helpful but also promotes growth. He adds persuasiveness, which also is evident in the words that come from his lips. The heart of a wise person is a fountain of words of wisdom. This is true only of the born-again heart. When the Word of Christ dwells richly in us, we will in all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs ( ). By “pleasant words” ( ) will be meant the words from the heart of the wise one of the previous verse. Such words have the sweetness of a honeycomb ( ). Sweet words are comforting and encouraging. They may be words from the Word of God, or words spoken in prayer or praise. They are words that God loves to listen to, as well as anyone born of Him. Like the honey in a honeycomb is produced by diligent bees, sweet words are the result of continuous dealings with God in secret. He who can speak sweet words has diligently studied the Scriptures and can bring out old and new things from them for the good of the listeners, for encouragement and restoration of spiritual strength ( ). We see the beneficial effect of using a little honey with Jonathan ( ). In a spiritual sense, sweet words have that same effect. Sweet words are not sugary words. They are loving yet clear, persuasive words. Sweet words are healing when they come from the teaching of God’s Word. Bones are the strength by which the body can move and move forward. Spiritual and physical strength comes back when we have heard uplifting words. Words of prophecy, that is, words spoken for “edification, exhortation and comfort” ( ), can be listened to like melodious music (cf. ).

‏ Proverbs 16:22

The Value of the Word and Words

One conclusion we can draw from both lines of Pro 16:20 is that “he who gives attention to the word ... trusts in the LORD”. Conversely, we can say that he who trusts in the LORD will give attention to the Word of God. “He who gives attention to the word” is literally “the wise dealing with the word”. This makes it a little clearer that it is not an occasional giving attention to the Word, but that what is meant is the daily, ongoing giving attention to the Word of God. It is about what God says and not what a person himself says.

Giving attention to the Word of God involves listening to its teaching. He who listens in that mind and so lives with God’s Word “will find good”. He will find in it the true meaning of life, that is Christ. He is the personification of the good. He is the Good.

That what matters is what God says and not the person being addressed here is evident from the second line of verse. Giving attention to what God says involves trusting Him. The trusting one is he who continually trusts. He who does so can truly be called “blessed”. He will receive all kinds of blessing (Jer 17:7). Through His Word, the LORD provides good things for those who pay attention to His Word, for those who take it seriously.

That a person is wise in heart will be evident in his speaking and his silence and his whole conduct (Pro 16:21). Others will notice it and people will call him “wise”, a man of understanding, one who speaks with knowledge. His wise words will give him a reputation for competence and the opportunity to exert a beneficial influence on those around him.

His manner of speaking makes it a pleasure to listen to him. His words are sweet or pleasant. They are kind words spoken with a certain gracefulness. There is no bitterness or sharpness in them. What he says builds up the listener, it gives him a greater understanding of that which is being spoken about. His words of teaching are well received because they are persuasive. The wise in heart is “able to teach” (1Tim 3:2).

The “fountain of life” that possessors of understanding have in their understanding (Pro 16:22) is given to them by God. That fountain is a refreshment not only for the possessors, but also for all around them. The New Testament believer also possesses such a fountain. Of that, it is said that rivers of living water flow from his inside to others to refresh them (Jn 4:14 ; Jn 7:38-39). That refreshment can only flow to others through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Paul was a fountain of life by the power of the Spirit in proclaiming the gospel and strengthening believers (Acts 14:21-22).

We too can be that, for we too have been given the understanding by which we know Him Who is true (1Jn 5:20). It is the understanding that was first darkness (Eph 4:18), but is now opened and enlightened by the Spirit of Christ, enabling us to understand the Scriptures (Lk 24:45). With the knowledge we have of Him, we can serve others and thus become a fountain of life for others.

With the fool there is no fountain of life. Fools have nothing in them but a fountain of folly. When they say something about discipline, it is nothing but foolishness. Whoever listens to it becomes equal to fools.

He who has a wise heart will be instructed by his heart to say wise things (Pro 16:23). He will also know when to speak and to whom. He not only speaks well-chosen words that the other person understands, but his words are instructive and increase the understanding of him to whom he speaks. What the wise person says is not only helpful but also promotes growth. He adds persuasiveness, which also is evident in the words that come from his lips.

The heart of a wise person is a fountain of words of wisdom. This is true only of the born-again heart. When the Word of Christ dwells richly in us, we will in all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Col 3:16).

By “pleasant words” (Pro 16:24) will be meant the words from the heart of the wise one of the previous verse. Such words have the sweetness of a honeycomb (Psa 19:10 ; Psa 119:103). Sweet words are comforting and encouraging. They may be words from the Word of God, or words spoken in prayer or praise. They are words that God loves to listen to, as well as anyone born of Him.

Like the honey in a honeycomb is produced by diligent bees, sweet words are the result of continuous dealings with God in secret. He who can speak sweet words has diligently studied the Scriptures and can bring out old and new things from them for the good of the listeners, for encouragement and restoration of spiritual strength (Mt 13:52).

We see the beneficial effect of using a little honey with Jonathan (1Sam 14:27). In a spiritual sense, sweet words have that same effect. Sweet words are not sugary words. They are loving yet clear, persuasive words. Sweet words are healing when they come from the teaching of God’s Word.

Bones are the strength by which the body can move and move forward. Spiritual and physical strength comes back when we have heard uplifting words. Words of prophecy, that is, words spoken for “edification, exhortation and comfort” (1Cor 14:3), can be listened to like melodious music (cf. 1Chr 25:1-6).