Movatterモバイル変換

Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORDmen depart from evil.

Proverbs 20:28
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.

2 Samuel 15:20
Whereas thou camestbut yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truthbe with thee.

bind

Proverbs 6:21
Bind them continually upon thine heart,and tie them about thy neck.

Proverbs 7:3
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

Exodus 13:9
And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

write

Jeremiah 17:1
The sin of Judahis written with a pen of iron,and with the point of a diamond:it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

2 Corinthians 3:3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Hebrews 10:16
Thisis the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

bind them around your neck,
The imagery of binding these virtues around one's neck suggests making them a visible and integral part of one's identity. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, wearing something around the neck was a sign of honor and a constant reminder of one's commitments or beliefs. This is similar to the practice of wearing phylacteries in Jewish tradition, where scripture is literally bound to the body (Deuteronomy 6:8). The neck, being a central and visible part of the body, symbolizes the importance of these virtues being evident in one's actions and interactions with others.

write them on the tablet of your heart.
Writing on the heart implies internalizing these virtues so they become part of one's innermost being. In biblical times, tablets were used for recording important information, signifying permanence and importance. The heart, in Hebrew thought, is the center of one's will and emotions, not just the seat of feelings but the core of decision-making and moral character. This phrase echoes the promise of the New Covenant, where God writes His laws on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33). It also points to the transformative work of Christ, who enables believers to embody God's love and faithfulness through the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:3).

The verse opens with a sweeping command—“Never.” Love (steadfast, covenant-keeping affection) and faithfulness (reliable truthfulness) are to remain constant companions.

• God Himself models these twin qualities: “All the LORD’s ways are loving devotion and faithfulness” (Psalm 25:10).

• He calls His people to the same pattern: “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

• Jesus ties both together in His summary of the Law: “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40).

• Paul echoes the permanence of love: “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Because Scripture is accurate and literal, this is not a suggestion but a daily, lifelong charge.

The picture is of a beautiful, visible necklace—always with you, unmistakable to others.

• Just as Israel was told, “Tie them as reminders on your hands… bind them on your foreheads” (Deuteronomy 6:8), wisdom is meant to be worn openly.

• Proverbs repeats the idea: “Bind them always on your heart; tie them around your neck” (Proverbs 6:21).

• A necklace rests close to the pulse, so love and faithfulness are to guide every heartbeat, every decision.

Living this way means:

– Your words and actions are adorned with grace and integrity.

– People can “see” your convictions before you ever speak (John 13:35).

More than outward display, the qualities must be engraved inside.

• “I will put My law within them and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33).

• “You are a letter of Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3).

• “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).

Writing implies permanence—no casual memorization, but deep, Spirit-driven inscription that shapes motives, thoughts, and desires.

Proverbs 3:3 commands a life where love and faithfulness never drift away. Keep them constantly visible—“bound around your neck”—and permanently internal—“written on the tablet of your heart.” When these twin virtues govern both the outside and the inside, they reflect God’s own character and guide every step of a believer’s walk.

(1) mutual outward help;

(2) forgiveness of offences;

(3) sympathy of feeling, which leads to interchange of thought, and so to the development of the spiritual life (see Elster,in loc.). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...