CRITICAL NOTES.--+1. Keep.+ This word, says Miller primarily means to look _hard at_, and generally to _keep watch over_, as over a vineyard. +2. Length of days,+ properly "extension of days." +4. Good understanding,+ or "good success," "good reputation." Some read "good _intelligence_," _i.e._, thou shalt be esteemed before God and man as one of good understanding. +6. Acknowledge,+ "take notice of," "recognise" Him. +Direct,+ "make level" or "smooth." +8. Navel,+ "body" or "muscles." +Marrow,+ literally "refreshing," "moistening," in contrast to the condition described in Psa. xxxii. 3, 4. +11. Despise not,+ or "loathe not," "shrink not." The word, according to Miller, means "to melt." +Chastening,+ "discipline," "correction." +12.+ The latter clause of this verse should be read, "and holds him dear, or does him a favour, as a father does his son." +13. Gets,+ "draws out." +18. Lay hold,+ "grasp," from a Hebrew root _strong_. +Retaineth,+ "holds her fast." +20. Depths,+ &c., "were the floods divided" into rivers and streams for the blessing of man. +Dew,+ or "gentle rain," or else the clouds signify the lower regions of the atmosphere where the dew is formed. +21. Them,+ _i.e._ "sound wisdom and discretion;" +Sound wisdom,+ the same word as in chap ii. 7 (see notes there). Miller translates here as there, "_something stable_." +25. Desolation of the wicked.+ This is interpreted in two ways. 1. The desolation in which the wicked strive to overwhelm the good; or, 2. The destruction which will sweep away the wicked, leaving the godly unharmed. "A positive decision is probably not possible" (Lange's Commentary). Stuart, and most modern commentators, adopt the latter view. +26. Confidence.+ "Jehovah shall be as loins to thee" (Miller). +27. Withhold not, &c.,+ literally "hold not good back from its master," _i.e._, from him to whom it belongs. +31. Envy thou not, &c.,+ or "emulate not" (Vulg.) "_Do_ not anxiously covet" (Stuart). +32. Secret.+ His "secret compact," "familiar intimacy." +34.+ "If," or "Seeing that He scorneth the scorners," &c. +35. The promotion,+ &c., literally "shame lifts up," _i.e._, in order to sweep away and destroy them; so Lange translates. Miller reads, "fools are each piling shame." Stuart says on this verse, "Glory means here honour or an exalted station. Ziegler and Ewald render the next clause, 'Shame shall elevate fools,' spoken sarcastically. I prefer the meaning sanctioned by Ezek. xxi. 23; Is. lvii. 14, viz., to take off, to sweep away, as the dust which is elevated by the wind and is swept off, as may be seen in Isa. xvii. 13. Compare Isa. xxix. 5; Psa. xxxv. 5. At least, the image understood in this way is very vivid. It stands thus: 'Fools are elevated like the light dust, and then are _swept away_ in the same manner.'" _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1-4. BLESSINGS FROM THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.