Proverbs 8:7 - The Excellence of Wisdom

Audio Bible

Context

The Excellence of Wisdom
…6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. 7For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.…

Cross References

Psalm 119:163
I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law I love.John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.Psalm 45:4
In your splendor ride forth in victory on behalf of truth and humility and justice; may your right hand show your awesome deeds.Zechariah 8:16
These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates,John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.1 John 2:21
I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.Psalm 15:2
He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart,1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.Isaiah 59:14-15
So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. / Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.Psalm 52:3
You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. SelahColossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,Jeremiah 9:3-5
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.1 Timothy 4:2
influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Job 36:4
For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 8:14,45,46
Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go…

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Proverbs 16:12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 29:27
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

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Proverbs 8

For my mouth will speak the truth
This phrase emphasizes the commitment to truthfulness, a central theme in biblical wisdom literature. Truth is a fundamental attribute of God's character (John 14:6), and those who seek wisdom are called to reflect this attribute. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, where oral tradition was vital, speaking truth was essential for maintaining justice and community integrity. The Hebrew word for truth, "emet," conveys reliability and faithfulness, qualities that are expected of those who follow God's wisdom. This phrase also foreshadows the teachings of Jesus, who consistently spoke truth and called His followers to do the same (Matthew 5:37).

and wickedness is detestable to my lips
This part of the verse highlights a strong aversion to wickedness, aligning with the biblical theme of holiness and separation from sin. In the historical context, Israel was surrounded by nations with differing moral standards, and the call to detest wickedness served as a boundary marker for God's people. The term "detestable" indicates a deep moral repulsion, suggesting that those who are wise not only avoid wickedness but find it abhorrent. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that calls believers to hate evil (Psalm 97:10) and pursue righteousness. The phrase also points to the purity of Christ, who, though tempted, was without sin and whose teachings consistently condemned wickedness (Hebrews 4:15).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Wisdom
Personified as a woman in Proverbs 8, Wisdom speaks directly to the reader, offering guidance and insight. She is portrayed as a divine attribute of God, present from the beginning of creation.

2. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings often emphasize the value of wisdom and understanding.

3. The Audience
The book of Proverbs is addressed to the people of Israel, particularly the young and inexperienced, to impart moral and practical guidance.

Teaching Points

The Value of Truth
Truth is a fundamental attribute of God and should be a defining characteristic of His followers. Embracing truth in our speech reflects God's nature and builds trust in our relationships.

Rejecting Wickedness
Just as Wisdom detests wickedness, believers are called to reject sin and evil in all forms. This involves a conscious effort to align our thoughts, words, and actions with God's standards.

The Power of Words
Our words have the power to build up or tear down. Speaking truth in love can bring healing and encouragement, while deceit and wickedness lead to destruction.

Wisdom's Role in Daily Life
Seeking wisdom daily helps us discern truth from falsehood and guides us in making righteous decisions. Regular study of Scripture and prayer are essential in cultivating wisdom.

Verse 7. - Another coordinate reason for attention. My mouth; chek, "palate" (Proverbs 5:3, where see note); the organ of speech. Shall speak truth; emeth (see on Proverbs 3:3). The verb הָגָה (hagah) properly means "to speak with one's self," "to meditate;" and so the versions translate here, meditabitur, μελετήσει; but this idea is not appropriate to the word joined with it, "the palate," and it must be taken to signify to utter, as in Psalm 35:28; Psalm 37:30, etc. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Resha, "wickedness," is the contrary of moral truth and right. Septuagint, "False lips are abominable in my sight." Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

my mouth
חִכִּ֑י (ḥik·kî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2441: Palate, roof of the mouth, gums

will speak
יֶהְגֶּ֣ה (yeh·geh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse

the truth,
אֱ֭מֶת (’ĕ·meṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

and wickedness
רֶֽשַׁע׃ (re·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7562: Wickedness

is detestable
וְתוֹעֲבַ֖ת (wə·ṯō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

to my lips.
שְׂפָתַ֣י (śə·p̄ā·ṯay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

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