Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

4:20-23 The commands in vv. 20-21 all encourage internalizing wisdom. Heart in Proverbs regularly refers to the center of one's inner life and orientation to God, from which a person does all thinking, feeling, and choosing. Taking words of wisdom into the heart is vital (they are life, v. 22), and wisdom's presence in the heart is worth guarding because out of the heart flow all the thoughts and words and choices of a person's life (from it flow the springs of life, v. 23; cf. Mark 7:21-23; Luke 6:45).

4:24 As Proverbs makes clear throughout, crooked speech points one in the path of the wicked. Crooked speech includes not only dishonest speech but also any good and honest communication (e.g., rebuke) without the proper content, context, or purpose. Guarding the heart in wisdom includes guarding against any speech that contains elements contrary to what the Lord loves (note the numerous references to the misuse of speech as detestable to the Lord in 6:12-19).

4:25 The idea that the eyes should look directly forward suggests resolution about remaining in the right way. Metaphorically, it suggests that when a person turns his eyes away from the path, he is apt to stumble.

4:26-27 Vital to keeping the heart formed in wisdom is the need to recognize and stay on the path that will shape it further in the way of righteousness. Do not swerve to the right or to the left (see Deut. 5:32; Josh. 1:7) refers to both attending to where the path of your feet (Prov. 4:26) is going and seeking to stay on the right path by turning your foot away from evil (v. 27; cf. 3:7; 16:6, 17).