Provérbios 4
Bruce Hurt · Citado em PreceptAustin
Provérbios 4
Proverbs Overview Purpose of Proverbs 1:1-7 Proverbs to Youth 1:8-9:18 Proverbs of Solomon 10:1-24:34 Proverbs of Solomon (Hezekiah) 25:1-29:27 Words of Agur 30:1-30:33 Words of Lemuel 31:1-31:31 Father's Exhortations First Collection of Solomon Second Collection of Solomon Numerical Proverbs Wisdom for Leaders 31:1-9 Virtuous Wife 31:10-31 Title: Proverbs 1:1 Precepts of Wisdom Proverbs of Solomon Proverbs Copied by Hezekiah's Men Proverbs of Agur Proverbs of Lemuel 31:1-9 Capable Wife 31:10-31 Theme: Proverbs 1:7 Wisdom for Young Men Proverbs for Everyone Personal Notes from Agur & Lemuel Prologue Principles of Wisdom Epilogue Commend Wisdom Counsel of Wisdom Comparisons of Wisdom Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding, BGT Proverbs 4:1 ἀκούσατε παῖδες παιδείαν πατρὸς καὶ προσέχετε γνῶναι ἔννοιαν NET Proverbs 4:1 Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment. NLT Proverbs 4:1 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, ESV Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, NIV Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. KJV Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. LXE Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. ASV Proverbs 4:1 Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding: CSB Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, NKJ Proverbs 4:1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; NRS Proverbs 4:1 Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; YLT Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding. Hear, O sons: Pr 1:8 Pr 6:20-23 Ps 34:11 1Th 2:11,12 give attention: Pr 2:1-5 5:1 7:4 8:32-36 19:20 22:17 Heb 2:1 SOLOMONS COMMAND TO LISTEN TO A FATHER'S WISDOM This passage could be subtitled "Passing the Baton." The Christian life is a race to be run and won for the glory of God. But it not a solitary race, but more like a relay race, so here Solomon passes on the baton to his sons. (by application "us"). One is reminded of Paul's last words to his beloved son in the faith Timothy (2 Ti 1:2, 1 Ti 1:18) charging him... You therefore (WHY? SEE 2 Ti 1:13-18), my son, be strong (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF OUR GRACE). 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust (aorist imperative see need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) (PASS THE BATON ON TO) these to faithful men who will be able to teach others (ABLE TO PASS ON THE BATON) also. (2 Ti 2:1-2+) (See related topic - Make Disciples). Lawson - IN this chapter, Solomon renews his exhortations to us to get wisdom, ver. 1–13, and to avoid temptations, ver. 14–19. The chapter concludes with a short sum of practical religion. In his exhortation to wisdom, he makes use of many of the same motives by which he had already recommended it. Solomon had a heart filled with knowledge, beyond all the sons of men; and he could have charmed and astonished, by the discoveries of new truths in every sentence; but he had wisdom to manage his knowledge, and therefore prefers those discourses which are solid and useful, to those which, by their dazzling brilliancy, are fitted only to produce admiration and surprise. He desires not our applause, but our benefit; and his aim is not to shine, but to instruct. He was a wise householder, instructed into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and brings out of his treasure things old as well as new. God speaks to us more than once or twice by this inspired penman, and shall we not listen to his voice? We have precept upon precept, and line upon line; and if we do not receive instructions pressed upon us so warmly, we must go and fall backwards, and be broken, and snared, and taken. May God open our hearts to hear what is said by him who was the wisest of men, and who spoke under the guidance of unerring Wisdom. Toy sees "Three exhortations (Pr 4:1–9, Pr 4:10–19, Pr 4:20–27), the theme of all three being the excellence and beneficent power of wisdom.—They are like those of chs. 2; 3 in that the advice is of a general nature, while in Proverbs. 5; 6; 7 it is directed against a particular sin. (Proverbs 4 - ICC) POSB - “Repetition is the key to learning.” Although the original source of this saying is not known, its use and acceptance lend credibility to its accuracy. Solomon’s chief method of instructing his son in Proverbs implies his agreement with it. In this first division of Proverbs (chs.1-9), a father’s instructions to his son, Solomon uses a number of teaching tools. His primary tool is repetition. Thus, the lessons from this father have many elements in common: • the charge to listen, to pay attention to his teaching • the equating of his teaching to God’s Word and commandments (laws) • the charge to get wisdom and to grow in wisdom • the benefits of wisdom • the value of wisdom • the dangers of rejecting wisdom These lessons were crucial to his son’s training because they have the potential to be life-changing. Apparently, Solomon was driven to make sure his son followed the Lord and the path of wisdom throughout life. Therefore, he repeated the above themes in every lesson. And though he conveyed these lessons in a variety of ways, the basic truths still stand out. It is key to realize that even though the verses are repetitive, they are not redundant or meaningless. Every mention is inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. Every mention reinforces them in the mind and, more importantly, in the heart of the reader. Hence, the reader must be careful not to pass over them because of their repetition. (POSB) John
Provérbios 4:23
Proverbs Overview Purpose of Proverbs 1:1-7 Proverbs to Youth 1:8-9:18 Proverbs of Solomon 10:1-24:34 Proverbs of Solomon (Hezekiah) 25:1-29:27 Words of Agur 30:1-30:33 Words of Lemuel 31:1-31:31 Father's Exhortations First Collection of Solomon Second Collection of Solomon Numerical Proverbs Wisdom for Leaders 31:1-9 Virtuous Wife 31:10-31 Title: Proverbs 1:1 Precepts of Wisdom Proverbs of Solomon Proverbs Copied by Hezekiah's Men Proverbs of Agur Proverbs of Lemuel 31:1-9 Capable Wife 31:10-31 Theme: Proverbs 1:7 Wisdom for Young Men Proverbs for Everyone Personal Notes from Agur & Lemuel Prologue Principles of Wisdom Epilogue Commend Wisdom Counsel of Wisdom Comparisons of Wisdom Proverbs 4:23 Watch (Qal Imperative) over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (NASB: Lockman) Amplified: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Lockman) CEV: Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. (cp 2Co 10:5) (CEV) Darby: Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life. ESV: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (ESV) GWT: Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it. (GWT) ICB: Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life. (ICB: Nelson) KJV: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Knox: Use all thy watchfulness to keep thy heart true; that is the fountain whence life springs. MLB (Berkley): Above all that you guard, watch over your heart, for out of it are the sources of life. NAB: With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life. (Pr 2:1, 4:10) NEB: Guard your heart more than any treasure, for it is the source of life. NET: Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life. (NET Bible) NIV: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV - IBS) NKJV: Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. NJB: More than all else, keep watch over your heart, since here are the wellsprings of life. (NJB) NLT: Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. [Hebrew for from it flow the springs of life. ] (NLT - Tyndale House) TEV: Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Young's Literal: Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it are the outgoings of life. In my experience the Septuagint (LXX) can often serve as somewhat of a "mini-commentary" on the Hebrew passage that it translates. One has to use discretion as the Septuagint translation of some passages are strikingly different from the corresponding Hebrew. In the case of Pr 4:23, the Greek translation of the Hebrew is illuminating. Below is the Septuagint with brief comments for amplification. Pase (all without exception) phulake (noun: as an action = guarding, watch; a person who stayed on watch at a guard post like our modern sentinel, cp "guard" in Acts 12.10 - see related verb that is the root of phulake = phulasso) terei (tereo = speaks of guarding something in one’s possession, watching as one would something precious, continually observing attentively. The present imperative is a command calling for us to make this our habitual practice cp "guarding" in Acts 12:6) sen (possessive adjective = your) kardian (see word study on kardia = heart, see also discussion of heart on this page) gar (for) ek (out of, from) touton (this) exodoi (see word study on exodos--a departure, here in plural = outgoings) zoes (see word study on zoe -- absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical). Brenton's English translation of the Septuagint reads Keep your heart with the utmost care; for out of these are the issues of life. My translation of the Septuagint With all guarding continually keep watching your heart for out of this [is the] departure (exodus) of supernatural life. Comment: The verb Tereo in the present imperative is a clear call for our necessity to renounce self-effort and rely on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to obey this command continually. It is impossible naturally! But it is Him-possible supernaturally! Here are some other paraphrases of Proverbs 4:23… Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. (NLT) Guard your heart above anything else you have, because it determines the kind of life you will live. Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. (TEV) The Pulpit Commentary says that one interpretation of this verse is that above all things that have to be guarded, keep or guard thy heart. As Wiersbe wisely observes… The heart is the “master-control” of the life; a wrong heart always produces a wrong life. To allow sin into the heart is to pollute the entire life… “The unexamined life is not worth living,” said Socrates. The Lord is pondering (examining) our lives (Pr 5:21, 15:3, Je 17:10, 2Chr 16:9), and we must examine them too (cp 2Co 13:5). Live in God’s Word and He will protect your path, direct your path, and perfect your path, for the glory of Jesus Christ. (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books) D Paul Montague has an interesting paraphrase of Pr 4:23… Be careful how you think, because your thinking results in actions that have either a positive or negative affect upon your territory (sphere of influence). Pastor Greg Allen has a pithy introduction to his sermon on Pr 4:23… Theme: We must be diligent to keep our hearts; because the condition of our heart will affect everything else in our life… I was sitting in my car in a parking lot in Seaside some time ago, sipping coffee and reading a book. And I heard a noise that caused me to look up and see one of those funny sights that could only be seen in high-tech, sophisticated America. There was an SUV next to me with a seagull perched on the hood. He was cocking his head back and forth in absolute bewilderment at the car beneath him; while from under the hood came a loud, authoritative, mechanical voice repeating the command, "PLEASE BACK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE". "Car alarms" and other such security devises are a part of the modern world; but human diligence is still very much needed. I read once about a Portland man who had a security device in his car that prevented someone from driving away with it. But he kept noticing that though his car was safely parked on his driveway, parts from his car were slowly disappearing. He kept vigil until he heard the sound of tinkering beneath his car. Then, he ran out just in time to catch a thief by surprise as he paid his regular night-time visit to steal engine parts. It seems that life all around us is filled with reasons to be on our guard, and to protect ourselves from loss or damage or theft with respect to our material goods. And of course, in a post-9/11 world, we have an even greater sense of the need to be on the alert. But what about spiritual matters? The things that concern our inner man are far more important and eternally consequential than the material goods we might be able to protect. Out of all the areas in life that force us to take "security measures", the Bible presents our effort to protect our heart as the most important of all. If you effectively protect your car from theft, your home from burglary, your property from damage, your financial interests from failure, and your body from personal illness and injury, and even our borders from terrorist attacks - and yet fail in protecting this one, all-important thing as the Bible warns us - that singular failure will effect all other areas of life. The plain fact is that more personal ruin and eternal loss has been caused by a failure to protect this one thing than all failures to protect material matters combined. And yet, hardly anyone gives a single thought to "keeping the heart". (Keep Your Heart, Proverbs 4:23 Sermon Greg Allen - Bethany Bible Church) WATCH OVER YOUR HEART Mt 26:41 1Pe 1:13, 5:8, 9, 10, Pr 22:5; 23:19; 28:26; Dt 4:9; Ps 139:23,24; Jer 17:9; Mt 15:18,19 Mk 14:38; He 12:15) Take a Moment to meditate on Proverbs 4:23 as you ponder the inestimable importance of guarding your heart Play Red Mountain Music's beautiful rendition of Lord, Dissolve My Frozen Heart — Red Mt Music (their works are superbly God Glorifying) Here are a few suggested observations you will want to make on this text - It would make a great sermon text (perhaps even a sermon series!). When does a person die? In medical terms, it's when the heart ceases to beat. If that's true in physical life, how important is the "heart" in our spiritual life? Pr 4:23 is the answer to that vitally important question! Solomon begins with a command to watch over! Remember that if God gives us a command, He will enable us to carry out the command, so don't make excuses that this is too difficult a thing for you to accomplish! (E.g., don't start blaming your parents, your horrible social background, even your depraved past [assuming you are a new creature - 2Co 5:17-note, cp Php 3:13-note remembering that Paul was at one time in agreement with Stephen's murder! Acts 7:58, 59). The point is that God says “Watch over” then we can watch over it. It is not optional. You are responsible. You need to determine what specific vulnerabilities you need to "watch over" because we each have different besetting sins (cp Heb 12:1-note). So like the Nike commercial says "Just Do It"! Why is it so vital? As someone has said our heart is like the “kernel of a nut” or like the internal citadel of our soul. Our heart controls all of our life, serving as the well spring of all our actions, and the center and seat of all the principles that undergird how we behave. In short, the heart controls our actions, our actions determine our habits and our habits are "warp and woof" (the foundation) of our character not our reputation (reputation being what others think about us, character being what God knows to be true about us). Why do we need to be constantly on guard? Clearly the implication is that the citadel of is one which can be easily taken by crafty adversaries like Satan (Recall Ge 3:1!) who prowls around (1Pe 5:8-note, 1Pe 5:9-note) continually looking for a "chink" in our armor with his goal being to take back lost ground (cp Ep 4:26, 27-note where "opportunity" is topos = territory, land, a defined place, an area = a foothold from which to launch further attacks as is true in real warfare!). We must not forget that our heart is easily deceived (cp Jer 17:9, cp Jesus' warning = Mt 26:41, cp deception of Ananias and Sapphira = Acts 5:3) and when the citadel of the heart is "overrun" or taken by the enemy (the world, the flesh or the devil), our whole man suffers defeat! So we need to be diligent with all keeping and before all else we must give priority to the protecting our heart. Most of us who are over 50 are careful to watch our cholesterol intake so that we might decrease our chances of heart attack. We need the same sober, serious approach to guarding our spiritual heart, even as one would protect a precious source of drinking water in the arid middle east so that it does not become polluted or poisoned by enemies! In short, we need to guard our heart, because our spiritual heart is the starting point for every spiritual aspect of our life. Don't be deceived by sin (See The Deceitfulness of Sin), for all of us, even the most godly among us, has some residual, innate propensity toward moral failure, some weak point, some potential opening for sin to pierce our moral armor. The solution? Continually watch over your heart! In the Pentateuch we see a similar charge… Only give heed (Niphal [passive] imperative - a command) to yourself and keep your soul diligently (exceedingly, very greatly), lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. (Dt 4:9) Solomon is giving us one of the most important practical duties of the Christian life. All other duties pale in comparison to guarding our hearts, for our heart affects everything we are, everything we say and everything we do. The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery writes that… In essence a guard symbolizes protection and watchfulness. His entire occupation requires him to encompass and shield his charge from harm or to restrain prisoners from escape… In Proverbs we read variously about how understanding will guard the wise person (Pr 2:11) and about the need to guard understanding ( Pr 4:13; cf. 7:2), one’s heart (Pr 4:23), lips (Pr 13:3), mouth (Pr 21:23) and soul (Pr 22:5). Equally metaphoric is the picture of how “righteousness guards the man of integrity” (Pr 13:6 NIV). John Angell James has a nice devotional summary of Proverbs 4:23… Guard your heart!" Above all else, guard your heart; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23 The heart is… the great vital spring of the soul, the fountain of actions, the center of principle, the seat of motives The heart is the center of the thoughts and feelings—out of which conduct comes. The heart must be the first, chief, constant object of solicitude to the Christian. It is this which God sees, and because God principally looks at it, the heart must be ever uppermost in our concern. To keep the heart must mean exerting ourselves with great earnestness, in dependence upon Divine grace, to preserve it in a good state; laboring to preserve its vitality, vigor, and purity. The heart is the citadel of the soul. If this is neglected, the enemy at the gates will soon be in and take possession. Set a watch, therefore, upon the heart. Let the sentinel be never off duty, nor sleeping at his post. Keep out evil thoughts, and unholy affections, and vile imaginations. Without great vigilance they will elude observation. As soon as an enemy of this kind is detected, he must be seized and made captive, until every thought is brought into subjection to Christ. As the state of the heart is, so is the man in reality—and before God. Guard your heart! (From Jewels from James) Can I ask you a candid question? Is the seductive, deceptive lure of some sin such as anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, sexual immorality, etc, knocking at the door of your heart, dear saint? Are you getting ready to be captured by your own iniquities, bound by the cords of your own sin (Pr 5:22)? If so, than prayerfully, meditatively, take just a few moments (3' 43") and… LISTEN TO "GUARD YOUR HEART" Click here to listen to Steve Green's soul piercing rendition of Guard Your Heart. Dear brother (or sister), if you are "toying" (an oxymoron for this is not "child's play"!) with and making provision for an "affair" (A euphemism which is far too kind! Cp Ro 13:14-note, Gal 5:16-note; Gal 5:17-note), then take just a few moments and please listen carefully to the words of Steve's song and as you listen ponder the consequences in David's life - notice especially the last 2 verses in the following passages! (David's sin with Bathsheba and some of the consequences = 2Sa 11:1,2, 3, 4, 5, 12:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 13:1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, 31). As Steve Green rightly and passionately sings "As a payment for pleasure it is a high price to pay "! Remember that when sin comes in at the door of a person’s life, it eventually moves to the inner chambers and takes over. If King David could speak to us today (and of course he is in one sense for the word is living and active, Heb 4:12-note, 1Pe 1:23-note), I have no doubt he would say that he would gladly forgo that 15-30 minutes of pleasure he had with Bathsheba on that fateful night, if the terrible consequences of his sin could be erased. O, dear beloved brother (or sister!) in Christ, if you are being tempted in this area, as you read this note, know that I have prayed for you that the Spirit would quicken your heart, renew your mind and empower your will to turn around and away from the potential devastation you are about to enter into to because of the deceitfulness (Heb 3:13-note) of this pleasurable (Heb 11:25-note) but tragic sin of porneia. Guard your heart --- for your God, for your wife and children, for your reputation, for the Lord's reputation, and remember that one day we will all stand before the Lord of Glory and give account for the deeds in the body (for believers at 2Cor 5:10 or unbelievers at Rev 20:11, 12, 13, 14, 15-see notes). See a related topic - Covenant: As It Relates to Marriage Watch (command, not a suggestion) (05341) (natsar) means to guard, keep, observe, hide, preserve, hide. Many of the uses of natsar are nuanced by the object that is being watched or guarded. The first use in Ex 34:7 speaks of God keeping His faithfulness! Natsar is used with a similar sense of keeping faithfulness in “keeping” the covenant (Dt. 33:9); “keeping” the law (Ps. 105:45); “keeping” the rules of parents (Pr. 6:20). Walter Kaiser on natsar - This verb appears approximately sixty times. Examination of the objects protected assists in assigning to it a proper semantical range. First material things such as agricultural or military installations (e.g. a vineyard, Job 27:18; a fig tree, Prov 27:18; fortifications, Nah 2:2) are guarded. Those who are employed in these functions are called watchmen (Qal active plural participle nōṣĕrîm, Jer 31:6; II Kgs 17:9; 18:8). The Lord himself is regarded as a keeper or watchman over his vineyard Israel and over all men in general (Isa 27:3; Job 7:20). Secondly in an ethical sense, the mouth (Prov 13:3; Ps 141:3), one’s path in life (Prov 16:17), the heart (Prov 4:23), and the tongue (Ps 34:13) are guarded. Thirdly, there is the concept of “guarding with fidelity.” It usually centers around observing the covenant or the law of the Lord. The Lord himself is the one keeping loyal love (ḥesed) to thousands of generations (Ex 34:7). But mortal men are also responsible for observing the covenant (Deut 33:9; Ps 25:10) and the precepts or law of God (Ps 78:7; 105:45; 119:2, 22, 33, 34, 56, 69, 100, 115, 129, 145). Even the commands of parents (Prov 6:20; 28:7) and the discipline of wisdom (Prov 3:1, 21; 4:13; 5:2) require the same kind of faithful observance. God is spoken of as guarding from danger or preserving a man’s life (Ps 25:20; 40:12; Prov 24:12), the king (Ps 61:8), peace (Isa 26:3), Israel (Deut 32:10; Isa 42:6; 49:8), the faithful and their lives (Ps 31:24; Prov 2:8), and knowledge (Prov 22:12). The Lord also protects the righteous from this generation (Ps 12:8), trouble (Ps 32:7), the secret plots of the wicked (Ps 64:2), and violent men (Ps 140:2, 5). Wisdom keeps those who do not forsake her (Prov 4:6). So discretion watches over her children (Prov 2:11) and righteousness watches over her (Prov 13:6). In three instances, nāṣar is used of guarding in the sense of “keeping secret.” In Isa 48:6 it refers to hidden things previously not revealed by God. In two other passages the meaning is negative. The “secret places” of sin where rebellious Israel spends her nights incubating (i.e. sleeping with the idols in order to receive dreams about the future, Isa 65:4) and the secret or crafty mindedness of a seductress (Prov 7:10). Another meaning is of keeping closed or blockaded cities under attack. In Jer 4:16, the Qal plural active participle seems to refer to the blockaders themselves, while in Ezk 6:12(?) and Isa 1:8 it points to the besieged or blockaded city. Taken altogether, it is no wonder that Isaiah calls the revived tribes of Israel in that eschatological era the preserved of Israel (49:6), for they surely have experienced the constant protection and preservation of the Lord. (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) Scripture uses natsar to describe men guarding truths about God. For example… Psalm 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep (Lxx = ekzeteo = exert effort to find out, to seek) His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 119:2 How blessed are those who observe (Lxx = ekzeteo = exert effort to find out, to seek) His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. Psalm 119:22 Take away reproach and contempt from me, For I observe (Lxx = ekzeteo = exert effort to find out, to seek) Thy testimonies. Psalm 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes, And I shall observe (Lxx = ekzeteo = exert effort to find out, to seek) it to the end. Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law, And keep (Lxx = ekzeteo = exert effort to find out, to seek) it with all my heart. Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed (Lxx = ekzeteo = exert effort to find out, to seek) Thy precepts. Psalm 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes (Lxx = exereunao = search out, examine, investigate) them. Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep (Lxx = tereo = keep in view, keep inviolate, guard) my commandments; Baker - The word (natsar) refers to people’s maintaining things entrusted to them, especially to keeping the truths of God in both actions and mind (Ps. 119:100, 115). God’s Word is to be kept with our whole hearts (Ps. 119:69); our hearts, in turn, ought to be maintained in a right state (Pr. 4:23). The word also refers to keeping speech under control (Ps. 34:13 [14]; 141:3); the maintenance of a tree (Pr. 27:18); the work of God’s character (Ps. 40:11[12]); its reflection in humans as preserving them (Ps. 25:21; Pr. 2:11). Sometimes the word refers directly to God’s preservation and maintenance of His people (Pr. 24:12; Isa. 49:8). The passive participle form of the verb describes an adulteress’ heart as guarded or kept secret (Pr. 7:10). It also describes a city as guarded or besieged (Isa. 1:8). The active participle is used to signify a watchman (2Kgs. 17:9; Jer. 31:6). (Complete Word Study Dictionary- Old Testament - recommended) Vine - Natsar is frequently used to express the idea of “guarding” something, such as a vineyard (Isa. 27:3) or a fortification (Nah. 2:1). “To watch” one’s speech is a frequent concern, so advice is given “to watch” one’s mouth (Pr. 13:3), the tongue (Ps. 34:13), and the lips (Ps. 141:3). Many references are made to God as the one who “preserves” His people from dangers of all kinds (Deut. 32:10; Ps. 31:23). Generally, natsar is a close synonym to the much more common verb, shamar, “to keep, tend.” TWOT - Examination of the objects protected assists in assigning to it a proper semantical range. First material things such as agricultural or military installations (e.g. a vineyard, Job 27:18; a fig tree, Pr 27:18; fortifications, Nah 2:2) are guarded. Those who are employed in these functions are called watchmen (Qal active plural participle nōsĕrîm, Jer 31:6; 2Kgs 17:9; 18:8). The Lord himself is regarded as a keeper or watchman over his vineyard Israel and over all men in general (Isa 27:3; Job 7:20). Secondly in an ethical sense, the mouth (Pr 13:3; Ps 141:3), one’s path in life (Pr 16:17), the heart (Pr 4:23), and the tongue (Ps 34:14) are guarded. Thirdly, there is the concept of “guarding with fidelity.” It usually centers around observing the covenant or the law of the Lord. The Lord himself is the one keeping loyal love (hesed) to thousands of generations (Ex 34:7). But mortal men are also responsible for observing the covenant (Deut 33:9; Ps 25:10) and the precepts or law of God (Ps 78:7; 105:45; 119:2, 22, 33, 34, 56, 69, 100, 115, 129, 145). Even the commands of parents (Pr 6:20; 28:7) and the discipline of wisdom (Pr 3:1, 21; 4:13; 5:2) require the same kind of faithful observance. God is spoken of as guarding from danger or preserving a man’s life (Ps 25:20; 40:12; Pr 24:12), the king (Ps 61:8), peace (Isa 26:3), Israel (Deut 32:10; Isa 42:6; 49:8), the faithful and their lives (Ps 31:24; Pr 2:8), and knowledge (Pr 22:12). The Lord also protects the righteous from this generation (Ps 12:8), trouble (Ps 32:7), the secret plots of the wicked (Ps 64:2), and violent men (Ps 140:2, 5). Wisdom keeps those who do not forsake her (Pr 4:6). So discretion watches over her children (Pr 2:11) and righteousness watches over her (Pr 13:6). In three instances, nātsar is used of guarding in the sense of “keeping secret.” In Isa 48:6 it refers to hidden things previously not revealed by God. In two other passages the meaning is negative. The “secret places” of sin where rebellious Israel spends her nights incubating (i.e. sleeping with the idols in order to receive dreams about the future, Isa 65:4) and the secret or crafty mindedness of a seductress (Pr 7:10). Another meaning is of keeping closed or blockaded cities under attack. In Jer 4:16, the Qal plural active participle seems to refer to the blockaders themselves, while in Ezek 6:12(?) and Isa 1:8 it points to the besieged or blockaded city. Taken altogether, it is no wonder that Isaiah calls the revived tribes of Israel in that eschatological era the preserved of Israel (49:6), for they surely have experienced the constant protection and preservation of the Lord. (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament- R Laird Harris, Gleason L Archer Jr., Bruce K Waltke- Recommended) Natsar - 57x in the OT- Ex 34:7; Deut 33:9; Job 7:20; 27:18; Ps 12:7; 25:10, 21; 31:23; 32:7; 34:13; 40:11; 61:7; 64:1; 78:7; 105:45; 119:2, 22, 33-34, 56, 69, 100, 115, 129, 145; 140:1, 4; 141:3; Pr 2:8, 11; 3:1, 21; 4:6, 13, 23; 5:2; 6:20; 7:10; 13:3, 6; 16:17; 20:28; 22:12; 24:12; 27:18; 28:7; Isa 1:8; 26:3; 27:3; 42:6; 48:6; 49:8; 65:4; Jer 4:16; 31:6; Ezek 6:12; Nah 2:1. NAS Usage: besieged(2), Besiegers(1), cunning(1), guard(2), guarding(1), guards(2), hidden things(1), keep(7), keep watch(1), keeper(1), keeps(3), kept(1), man(1), observe(10), observed(1), observes(1), preserve(10), preserves(1), reserve(1), secret places(1), tends(1), watch(4), watcher(1), watches(1), watchman(1), watchmen(1). For example… Isaiah 26:3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep (Heb = natsar; Lxx = phulasso = guard) in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Men will only guard what is valuable. There are not many guards posted at the local city dump, but there are armed guards and security measures at the bank or the expensive jewelry store, because of the great value in these places. This basic human principle says something about God’s view of the heart. He knows that the heart is of great value to Him and to the one who possesses it. And thus the command to watch our heart as one would the wealthiest bank in the world. The integrity and vitality of our spiritual lives depend on it! Are you guarding your heart 24/7? Or do you just guard your heart on Sunday mornings? In short, the Hebrew word natsar is a command calling for continual watching and can even refer to a watchman on security duty. Note also that watching includes two things, one, that you keep noxious pollutants from coming in, and secondly, that you keep anything good from being stolen. Both are relevant when it comes to guarding one's heart. William Cowper gives us an example of how something good is stolen from our heart… We may mark it by experience, that the Word is first stolen either out of the mind (heart) of man, and the remembrance of it is away; or at least out of the affection of man; so that the reverence of it is gone, before a man can be drawn to the committing of a sin. So long as Eve kept by faith the Word of the Lord, she resisted Satan; but from the time she doubted of that, which God made most certain by His Word, at once she was snared. UBS Handbook on Proverbs says that "In some languages this is expressed as “Watch your mind,” “Keep a hand on your head,” or “Take care of your thoughts.” NJB translates “More than all else, keep watch over your heart,” and NJPSV (New Jewish Publication Society Version) has “More than all that you guard, guard your mind.” We may also say, for example, “The most important thing you can do is be careful what you think” or “The most important … is to think good thoughts.” (Reyburn, W. D., & Fry, E. M. A handbook on Proverbs. The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series) Toy writes that "The Hebrew in first line reads: more than all guarding ( = “with more vigilant guarding than in any other case”) watch thou over thy heart, = “watch thy heart (or, thyself) more than anything else”; the same general sense is given by the rendering: above all that thou guardest, etc. (De., RV. marg.), but this signification (“the thing guarded”) the word has not elsewhere in OT. A better sense is given by the Greek reading: with all watching guard etc., that is, in every way, with all possible vigilance and diligence (so AV., RV.).(Toy, C. H. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the book of Proverbs. 1899) Watch over (05341) (Qal Imperative = Command) means to watch, preserve, guard from dangers; guard with fidelity; keep secret and close, blockade. This verb is related to a word which describes a prison guard keeping watch over a prisoner in a cell (posting a guard, a guard-house, a guard post). As noted, in Hebrew (and in Greek) this injunction is in the form of a command. If God commands it, then we can carry it out (in His power, Zech 4:6, Gal 5:16-note, Eph 5:18-note) and therefore we have no excuse to not comply! What is your excuse? Solomon sadly failed to carry out the very command the Spirit of God inspired him to pen! (see the following section). Watching over our heart is not an addendum or elective for those who are called to be holy as He is holy (1Pe 1:15, 16- notes)! It speaks of the exercise of serious, vigilant, careful diligence in "keeping an eye on" and protecting the heart. Our heart is in the center of our inner man (phrase found in NASB in Ro 7:22, 2Co 4:16, Eph 3:16), so how can we possibly watch over something we cannot envision? What comes into the inner man? Input especially from the eyes but also from the ears. It follows that we watch over our heart by watching over these strategic entry points, in the following practical ways… PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO LOVE GOD AS A CHILD DOES THEIR FATHER AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' (Mark 12:30) Comment: We’re to love God with all our heart (Dt 6:5) and receive His Word into our hearts (Pr 7:1, 2, 3). God wants us to do His will from our hearts (Ep 6:6). If our heart is wrong toward God, our entire life will be wrong, no matter how successful we may appear to others. (Wiersbe, W. W. Be responsible). Hate evil, you who love the LORD (cp Mk 12:30, 31, 1Jn 4:19, Jn 14:15), Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. (Ps 97:10 - Spurgeon's Note) FILL YOU HEART WITH THE WORD OF TRUTH Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you (in your heart, Ps 119:9, 11), with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (see note Colossians 3:16) Comment: As we fill our hearts with God’s Holy Word, and yield to His Holy Spirit, our lives will be like a refreshing fountain to ourselves and those we encounter. MEDITATE IN YOUR HEART ON THE WORD OF GOD: From Thy precepts I get understanding. Therefore (Why? because we've immersed ourselves in the Word of Truth and Life) I hate every false way. (Ps 119:104-Spurgeon's note, cp Ps 1:1, 2, 3 -notes) Therefore I esteem right all Thy precepts concerning everything (Question: Do you really hold God's precepts in high esteem? How much time have you spent in His highly esteemed words this morning before you went to work? this past week?), I hate every false way. (Ps 119:128-Spurgeon's Note) GUARD YOUR HEART IN AN ATTITUDE OF WATCHFUL PRAYER: Keep watching (present imperative- literally keep staying awake, alert, on the lookout for potential danger or hazards in the highway of holiness) and praying (present imperative -command to do this continually), that you may not enter into temptation (eg, the temptation to allow moral pollutants into your heart, that would pollute the "head waters" of our heart); the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mt 26:41) John