Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
Parallel Translations
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Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
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Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
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Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Cross-references (15)
Passages linked to Proverbs 8:34 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Luke 11:28 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
- Matthew 7:24 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.
- Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
- Psalms 27:4 One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.
- Luke 10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
- Acts 2:42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
- Psalms 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
- Acts 17:11-12 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
- Proverbs 2:3-4 yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:
- Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
- Psalms 92:13 They are planted in Yahweh’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts.
- Proverbs 1:21 She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
- Luke 1:6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
- James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.
- John 8:31-32 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 8:34 Blessed [is] the man that heareth me,…
Pro 8:34 Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Ver. 34. Waiting at the posts of my doors.] At the schools and synagogues, say the Hebrews, where men should come in with the first, and go forth with the last, as doorkeepers do, which was the office that David desired. {Psa 84:10}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain As servants, and clients, and others wait at the…
As servants, and clients, and others wait at the doors of princes or persons of eminency for place, or power, or wisdom, that they may be admitted to speak or converse with them.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Blessed is the man that heareth me,.... Christ in…
Blessed is the man that heareth me,.... Christ in his Gospel, as speaking by his ministers; for hearing them is hearing him, Luk 10:16; they have their commission from him; are his ambassadors, and represent him; receive their gifts from him; speak according to his mind and will, revealed in his word, and preach him himself. This shows with what attention and reverence the Gospel should be heard; what credit should be given unto it; how it ought to be put in practice; this accounts for the efficacy of it on the souls of men, it being no other than the word of Christ, or Christ himself speaking; and from hence it appears how sad and dreadful will be the case of such that despise it: to hear it is the way to have the knowledge of Christ, and an increase of it; faith in Christ, and a growth therein; the joy of faith, and a furtherance of it; love to Christ, and aboundings in it; and to have spiritual food and nourishment; wherefore it is both the duty and privilege of persons to hear the Gospel of Christ, since these things come by it;
watching daily at my gates; the gates of Wisdom's house, the church of Christ, which are the public ordinances thereof; called in Scripture the gates of Zion, Psa 87:2; in allusion to the gates of cities, where Wisdom cries, or the ministers of Christ preach, Pro 1:21; see Isa 26:1; or to the gates of kings, palaces, where courtiers watch to be admitted and received as favourites, or to give in their petitions for themselves or others, Est 6:10. The church is the palace of the great King; it is an honour to be admitted here, to have a name and a place here, and to sit with the King at his table. Or to the door of the tabernacle, where the people of Israel assembled for worship; or to the gates of the temple, where the priests and Levites watched, Exo 29:42. "Watching" is opposed to sleep, both to bodily sleep and to sleepy frames of soul; and to intemperance, not only by eating and drinking, but with the cares of this life; and it denotes circumspection, diligence, and attention. Here sensible sinners watch in the ministry of the word and ordinances, if anything drops that they can catch at, suitable to their case and circumstances; as Benhadad's servants did, Kg1 20:33; and here souls, under darkness and desertion, watch for spiritual light and comfort, as they that watch for the morning; and here every believer watches for his spiritual edification and establishment in the truth; and which should be "daily" or "day after day", one Lord's day after another; taking all opportunities, in season and out of season, consistent with the duties of their calling, to hear the word; and so they are to continue to the end of life; for happy is he that shall be found thus watching when his Lord cometh, Luk 12:37;
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waiting at the posts of my doors; either in allusion to scholars, who wait the opening of the school doors to go in first, as Jarchi observes: Christ is a teacher; sensible souls are his disciples or scholars; the church is the school where they learn of him, and learn him; and waiting at the door posts of it shows early seeking to Christ, and eagerness for instruction from him, Luk 21:38. Or the allusion may be to clients, waiting at the doors of counsellors (y), for counsel, and for patronage and protection, to plead their cause for them; Christ is the wonderful Counsellor, the Advocate with the Father, the Redeemer, mighty and strong, to plead the cause of his people; and therefore it is right to wait at his doors, with whom are counsel and sound wisdom: or else to beggars, that wait at the door for alms; who knock, and wait until the door is opened; tell their case, and wait for relief; receive repulses, and wait still; and will not depart till something is given. So saints should wait at the throne of grace, and upon the word and ordinances, for answers of prayer, performance of promises, and the presence of God and Christ: and so should sinners wait on the outward ministry of the word, remembering the ease of the poor man at the pool, who waited long, and at last had a cure, Joh 5:5; since faith comes hereby; the Spirit and his graces, Christ and the knowledge of him, are had by such means, as follows.
(y) "Sub galls cantum consultor ubi ostia pulsat", Horat. Sat. l. 1. Sat. 1. v. 10.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Waiting - As servants or clients, wait at the…
Waiting - As servants or clients, wait at the doors of princes or persons of eminency.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 34. Watching daily at my gates] Wisdom is…
Verse 34. Watching daily at my gates] Wisdom is represented as having a school for the instruction of men; and seems to point out some of the most forward of her scholars coming, through their intense desire to learn, even before the gates were opened, and waiting there for admission, that they might hear every word that was uttered, and not lose one accent of the heavenly teaching. Blessed are such.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain The image is suggested probably by the Levites who…
The image is suggested probably by the Levites who guarded the doors of the sanctuary Psa 134:1; Psa 135:2. Not less blessed than theirs is the lot of those who wait upon Wisdom in the temple not made with hands.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain This is the hearing of faith — the voice…
This is the hearing of faith — the voice of Christ to the inmost ear — the impression of his word upon the heart. (Joh 5:25 . Rev 3:20 .) The effect is unwearied diligence and patient expectation; like the priest waiting at the doors of the tabernacle for the assured blessing (Exo 29:42 ); or the people watching at the temple gates for his return from his holy ministrations. (Luk 1:10, Luk 1:21 .) This free and habitual attendance upon Sacred Ordinances indicates an healthy appetite for Divine nutriment. The superficial professor excuses himself from this "weariness" (Mal 1:13 ) by the fear of legality, or the danger of overvaluing the means. But is there not at least equal danger of undervaluing the means, to which our gracious Lord has engaged his blessing? (Exo 20:24 . Isa 56:7 . Mat 18:20 .) In gazing on the heavenly Jerusalem, the apostle "saw no temple therein." (Rev 21:22 .) But what right-hearted Christian will doubt that the life-blood of his soul while on earth consists in watching, like the servants of the temple, daily at her gates (Psa 84:1, Psa 84:4, Psa 84:10 ), when not involving the neglect of imperative obligations. Wisdom’s child will ever be familiar with Wisdom’s gates. The Weekly as well as the Sabbath assemblies will be his delight. Most thankful will he be for the service, which invigorates him in the midst of the toils of his worldly calling. "The way by the footsteps of the flock, beside the Shepherds’ tents," will be his constant resort. (Song of Son 1:7-8 .) And never would he wound the feelings of his Shepherd by willfully absenting himself from the well, when he comes to water his flock. All the ordinances of prayer, meditation, Scripture reading, or godly conference, will be his salutary provision. When it is not so; when the common routine satisfies; when the intervals between the Sabbath pass without any appetite for food, or any effort to seek the bread of the sanctuary — Christian, is not thy pulse beating feebly? Hast thou not lost many a precious message from thy Lord (see Joh 20:19, Joh 20:24 ) — the fruit of thy Minister’s special study, a word of distinct application to thy state, and which might have guided and comforted thee to the end of thy days? Oh, listen to thy Lord’s rebuke — "Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die."†1
Observe the blessing breathed down upon the Lord’s waiting ones. They find life. (Isa 55:3 . Joh 5:24 .) For he on whom they wait is the Author (Joh 1:4 ; Joh 11:25 ; Joh 14:6 ), the Dispenser (Joh 10:10 ), the Keeper of life. (Col 3:3 . 1Jn 5:11 . Jud 1:1 .) "He therefore that hath him, hath life" (1Jn 5:12 ), with all its present privileges of favour of the LORD. (Isa 64:5 .) ’The smiles of God make heaven; and they that obtain favour of the LORD, have a heaven upon earth.’†2 Set then this expectation before thine eyes in waiting on thy God. ’I am seeking life for my soul; I will wait at the post of his doors, missing no opportunity of a means of grace; I shall not wait in vain.’
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Would that the sinner — the thoughtless sinner — not the daring and ungodly only — pondered how his heartless neglect of wisdom wronged his own soul! (Pro 1:17-19, Pro 1:31 ; Pro 9:12 . Jer 7:19 . Act 13:46 . Num 16:38 .) How cruel he is to himself, while he is despising his Savior. Every bait of sin is the temptation to suicide — soul-murder. The snatching at it is as if men were in love with damnation. ’They that hate me love death. They love that which will be their death, and put that from them which would be their life. Sinners die, because they will die; which leaves them inexcusable, makes their condemnation more intolerable, and will for ever justify God when he judges. "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.’"†3
Footnotes:
†1 Rev 3:2. ’The places where the Gospel is faithfully preached, are "the gates and the posts of the doors of Wisdom," at which Christ would have his disciples to "wait daily." And may not Christians, consistently with other duties, redeem time for this waiting, as well as the children of this world find time for their vain amusements, who yet do not neglect their one thing needful? Is not the time spared from attending on a weekday, often spent in unprofitable visits or vain discourse? Ought Ministers to be "instant in season, and out of season," in preaching the word; and ought not the people to be glad of an opportunity of hearing it?’ — Scott.
†2 Lawson (George) Exposition of Proverbs. 2 vols. 12mo. 1821.
†3 Hos 13:9. Henry in loco.
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain watching . . . waiting--literally, "so as to watch";…
watching . . . waiting--literally, "so as to watch"; wait, denoting a most sedulous attention.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 34. My gates — Wisdom is now represented as…
34. My gates — Wisdom is now represented as in her temple, while her votaries, on whom she pronounces blessings, wait and watch for the opening of her gates, that they may meet her and secure her instructions.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (34) Watching daily at my gates.—A figure taken from…
(34) Watching daily at my gates.—A figure taken from an ardent scholar waiting till the doors of the school are opened, and he can begin his studies. Or it represents a courtier expecting the appearance of his sovereign, or a lover that of his mistress. (Comp. Wis_8:2.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Watching daily at my gates. The idea suggested has…
Watching daily at my gates. The idea suggested has been variously taken; e.g. as that of eager students waiting at the school door for their teacher"s appearance; clients besieging a great man"s portals; Levites guarding the doors of the temple; a lover at his mistress"s gate. This last notion is supported by RAPC Wis 8:2, "I loved her, and sought her out from my youth; I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty." Waiting at the posts of my doors; keeping close to the entrance, so as to be quite sure of not missing her whom he longs to see.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily…
Pro_8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors.
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Attending public instruction recommended
I. The reasonableness of attending all the instituted means of our instruction. If God had never vouchsafed to men a positive revelation, we should have been obliged to feel after virtue if haply we might find it. And it is surprising to what lengths some have arrived without the help of that grace which bringeth salvation. But when it hath pleased God to erect a kingdom in the world, it is great ingratitude, a heinous contempt of Gods authority, an affront to His love, and so must be inexcusable folly so to neglect our own true interest.
II. What is imported in hearing. Scripture represents this as the sum of that duty and respect which God demandeth for Christ who is His Wisdom, and the great revealer of His will to mankind. Whatever is meant by hearing Christ, the Wisdom of the Father, it is enjoined and enforced with all the authority and obligatory power with which any Divine precept can be enforced. Hearing importeth a serious and attentive consideration, and a diligent application of the mind, to understand the important contents of the Divine message. We are to understand by hearing--
1. An attentive regard to instruction. The Wisdom of God hath the first right to be heard, and what He prescribeth, to be attended to.
2. Hearing signifies a submissive disposition. To hear is to turn at the reproofs of Wisdom, to tremble at the threatenings of God, to hope in His promises, and practise what He enjoineth.
3. Hearing Wisdom importeth an absolute unreserved obedience.
III. The proper dispositions of mind, and the manner of hearing and using all means.
1. It importeth a sense of our constant need of instruction, that we may be still making further progress in knowledge and in grace. If this be the temper of our minds, it will incline us to a daily attendance at the gates of Wisdom; that is, a daily use of the appointed means for our increase in knowledge and virtue.
2. A constant care and solicitude that the benefit of them may not be lost; and particularly a strict vigilance over our own spirits and our whole behaviour.
3. Patience, which is signified by waiting, is also needed. Our progress to religious knowledge and virtue is gradual. Patience is the character of a continuance in well-doing, as well as of enduring afflictions. Always endeavour with alacrity and vigour to use the means of our religious instruction and improvement. (J. Abernethy, M. A.)
Watchful diligence
I. The way to happiness is to hearken diligently to wisdoms words.
1. We cannot of ourselves find out the way to true happiness.
2. No man can show it to us.
II. We must not only hear, but watch for wisdom. Omit no occasion of learning, and make the best possible use of every occasion.
III. We must not only watch for a while, we must wait long, if we would get wisdom. Give no place to idleness and slothfulness, lest ye become unteachable, and incapable of wisdom. (Francis Taylor, B. D.)
Waiting upon God
Profession without principle is worthless. He who is not an every-day Christian is no Christian at all.
I. The characteristics of an every-day Christian. They are--
1. Hearers. Many hear, and do not hear. Hearing implies profitable hearing. Many do not profit. They come to hear, but not to learn, or to practise. Some come fresh from the cares of the world. Others come with unclean hearts. If you would receive good by attending at the house of God, there must be a desire to profit; and with a lively faith.
2. They are watchers. This implies frequency, perseverance, self-denial, self-abasement, and a certain degree of anxiety.
3. They wait at the posts of His doors. That is, attend those places, and frequently attend them, where Christ is expected.
II. Such a man will never lose his reward.
1. He finds life. St. John says, He that hath the Son hath life. Finding Christ is finding life. Finding Iris implies pardon. With pardon we have peace.
2. The reward consists in the favour of God. This favour is enduring. It supports the sinner in the time of his trouble.
Lessons:
1. Though you may be a hearer, a watcher, a waiter upon Christ, you must expect your trials. Do not be surprised either at the number or the degree of your trials.
2. See that you come in the spirit of prayer and of faith. (H. Montagu Villiers, M. A.)
Waiting at Wisdoms gates
The Bible seldom speaks, and certainly never its deepest, sweetest words, to those who always read it in a hurry. Nature can only tell her secrets to such as will sit still in her sacred temple, till their eyes lose the glare of earthly glory, and their ears are attuned to her voice. And shall revelation do what nature cannot? Never. The man who shall win the blessedness of hearing her must watch daily at her gates, and wait at the posts of her doors. (F. B. Meyer.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.