“Fili mi, custodi sermones meos, et præcepta mea reconde tibi. Fili,”
“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.”
“My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.”
“My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you.”
“My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee.”
Words. As dangerous temptations always threaten, the same instructions are frequently inculcated. (Worthington)
The scope of this chapter is, as of several before, to warn young men against the lusts of the flesh. Solomon remembered of what ill consequence it was to his father, perhaps found himself, and perceived his son, addicted to it, or at least had observed how many hopeful young men among his subjects had been ruined by those lusts; and therefore he thought he could never say enough to dissuade men from them, that "every one may possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, and not in the lusts of uncleanness." In this chapter we have, I. A general exhortation to get our minds principled and governed by the world of God, as a sovereign antidote against this sin, ver 1-5. II. A particular representation of the great danger which unwary young men are in of being inveigled into this snare, ver 6-23. III. A serious caution inferred thence, in the close, to take heed of all approaches towards this sin, ver 24-27. We should all pray, "Lord, lead us not into this temptation."
Verses 1-5 We must lay up God's commandments safely. Not only, Keep them, and you shall live; but, Keep them as those that cannot live without them. Those that blame strict and careful walking as needless and too precise, consider not that the law is to be kept as the apple of the eye; indeed the law in the heart is the eye of the soul. Let the word of God dwell in us, and so be written where it will be always at hand to be read. Thus we shall be kept from the fatal effects of our own passions, and the snares of Satan. Let God's word confirm our dread of sin, and resolutions against it.