angela hormberg

Tag: Words

  • Proverbs 10:32

    Proverbs 10:32

    To Know What is Acceptable

    Commonplace –

    “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness” (Provebs 10:32).

    Proverbs 10:32 is the last verse in Proverbs 10, so it’s appropriate that it ends with a reference to speech, a topic Solomon has hit on ten times throughout this chapter. In this verse, the righteous are cited for knowing what is acceptable; they practice discernment. In contrast, the words of the wicked are contrary. It doesn’t say the wicked don’t know what is acceptable, suggesting they do know what is correct and choose the opposite. As Matthew Henry aptly notes, “Here, as before, men are judged of, and, accordingly, are justified or condemned by their words, Matt. 12:37” (695).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs .” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:21

    Proverbs 10:21

    Wisdom and Words

    Commonplace –

    “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom” (Proverbs 10:21).

    Once again, Solomon reminds us how impactful our words are. In Proverbs 10:21, Solomon tells us the “lips of the righteous feed many”. If our words are good, they are nourishment to those who hear us. Good words come from a heart of wisdom. That same wisdom that fills us overflows to others around us, feeding those who hear us, building good relationships, which brings goodness back to us. In contrast, “fools die for want of wisdom”. When our words are wicked, they are indicative of a wicked heart. Nothing good flows out of a wicked heart. So when we speak wicked words, we not only harm those around us, we harm ourselves by destroying relationships.

    In regard to Proverbs 10:21, Matthew Henry wrote:

    “The lips of the righteous feed many; for they are full of the word of God, which is the bread of life, and that sound doctrine wherewith souls are nourished up. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy, to the hungry” (693),

    while “Fools die for want of a heart (so the word is); they perish for want of consideration and resolution; they have no heart to do any thing for their own good. While the righteous feed others fools starve themselves” (694).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:21.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:19

    Proverbs 10:19

    Refraining Speech

    Commonplace –

    “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (10:19).

    This verse is good for reflection for the New Year. How many words am I putting out there? Are they measured? Are they good? Do they uplift?

    Pausing for a moment before speaking. Taking a breath. Letting thoughts sit for a little longer. – All good actions.

    But keep sharing stories. Good stories with the right amount of words to tell the story well, form a lovely stream. Extraneous words turn into streamlets that reduce the force of the stream and turn the whole system into a swamp.

    Matthew Henry offers the following:

    He “that often checks himself, suppresses what he has thought, and holds in that which would transpire, is a wise man; it is evidence of his wisdom, and he therein consults his own peace. Little said is soon amended” (691).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:19.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Proverbs 10:11

    Proverbs 10:11

    Words Matter

    Commonplace –

    “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:11).

    The lesson of Proverbs 10:11 is – Words Matter. The good man says good things. “His mouth, the outlet of his mind, is a well of life” (Henry 692). Later, Jesus echoes Solomon’s sentiments when he is speaking to the Pharisees.

    “ O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).

    In regard to the wicked, Matthew Henry notes the following:

    “The mouth of the wicked covers violence, disguises the designed mischief with professions of friendship, that it may be carried on the more securely and effectually, as Joab kissed and killed, Judas kissed and betrayed; this is his sin, to which the punishment answers” (692).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:11.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    We'd love to hear from you!

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg