Contrast of Righteous and Wicked

The unity of this collection is indicated in the Hebrew structure. These three proverbs follow a logical progression: the righteous make plans that are just, but the wicked scheme with deceitful counsel (v. 5); the wicked attempt to ambush the righteous with their lies, but the righteous are delivered by their integrity (v. 6); the wicked are totally destroyed, but the righteous stand secure (v. 7).

However, in the end, the wicked perish.

Psalm 1 NASB95

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

v.5

Proverbs 12:5 NASB95

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Proverbs 12:5 BHW 4.18

5 מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת צַדִּיקִ֣ים מִשְׁפָּ֑ט תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת רְשָׁעִ֣ים מִרְמָֽה׃

Key word: “thoughts” “counsels”

Contrast

the plans of the righteous = good, normal, just.

the schemes of the wicked = conniving, ensnaring,

Proverbs 14:8–9 NASB95

8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit. 9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

Proverbs 24:6–7 NASB95

6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. 7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate.

Proverbs 24:1–2 NASB95

1 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their minds devise violence, And their lips talk of trouble.

The idea is that of finding someone to gain counsel by.

v.6

Proverbs 12:6 NASB95

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

Proverbs 12:6 BHW 4.18

6 דִּבְרֵ֣י רְשָׁעִ֣ים אֱרָב־דָּ֑ם וּפִ֥י יְ֝שָׁרִ֗ים יַצִּילֵֽם׃

Key words: “words” “mouth”

“Words” =

The words of the wicked are an ambush of blood.

They take the life of the man.

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Proverbs 5, 6

—6. Antithetic, ternary. The first cl. is lit.: the words … are a lying in wait, etc., which may be interpreted, in accordance with 1:11: relate to lying in wait; but it is better to retain the lively figure of the text: the words (= plans) of bad men are assassins who treacherously lurk for their victims.

The mouths of the upright ones =

Psalm 33:1 NASB95

1 Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Proverbs 5, 6

The reference in first cl. is to slanderous talk, accusations to great men, false testimony in courts of justice, and the like; the second cl. refers to the healing power of just and kindly speech.

v.7

Proverbs 12:7 NASB95

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.

Proverbs 12:7 BHW 4.18

7 הָפ֣וֹךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים וְאֵינָ֑ם וּבֵ֖ית צַדִּיקִ֣ים יַעֲמֹֽד׃

Proverbs 10:25 NASB95

25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

Key words: “wicked” “(house) of the righteous”

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Proverbs 7

the sense of first cl. is: the wicked shall be completely and finally destroyed, without hope of restoration, that is, by judgment of God, with or without human instrumentality.

The wicked will vanish in time.

Contrast:

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