What does it mean to "bow down thine ear" to the words of the wise?

To “bow down thine ear” means to humble yourself and listen carefully, not in a casual way, but with real attention. The passage is calling the listener to treat these wise sayings as serious and weighty, not as light sayings for entertainment. It is like leaning in so you do not miss a word. This includes not only hearing with the ears but also being ready in your heart to receive what is taught. The idea is that wisdom will not help you if you only hear it on the surface, so you are urged to listen lowly, carefully, and with respect.

Why is it a "pleasant thing" to keep wise words within your heart?

The passage says it is a pleasant thing if you keep these wise words within you because they bring a deep, lasting joy and comfort. When God’s wisdom is stored in the heart, it is like good food that has been digested; it strengthens you from the inside. These truths guard you from sin, guide your choices, and give peace when you look back on them. They are not just rules that press on you from the outside. When they sink into the heart, they fit who you are becoming, and you begin to find real delight in walking in God’s ways.

How do these verses connect wisdom with trusting in the Lord?

The teacher says he has made these wise words known “that thy trust may be in the LORD.” Wisdom here is not just about being smart in daily life. Its main purpose is to lead you to rely on God. As you learn what God approves, what he warns against, and how he cares for those who walk in his ways, you are given solid reasons to lean on him. Obeying what God teaches and seeing it prove true again and again strengthens your faith. So the passage ties together knowing wise teaching, living by it, and growing in steady trust in the Lord.

What are the "excellent things in counsels and knowledge" mentioned here?

The “excellent things in counsels and knowledge” are the rich and weighty teachings that have been written down for the listener. They are called excellent because they deal with the most serious matters: God’s honour, the state of our souls, and how we should live toward God and other people. These teachings show God’s wise plans, give sound counsel to those who are lost or burdened, and open up the knowledge of who God is and how he saves. They are not small sayings for passing time, but high and noble truths meant to guide life and shape the heart.

What does it mean to know "the certainty of the words of truth"?

To know “the certainty of the words of truth” means more than just hearing true statements. It means being persuaded that these words really are from God and can be fully trusted. The passage speaks of God’s words as sure and reliable, not doubtful or shaky. As you receive them, keep them in your heart, and walk in them, you come to see their truth proved in life. This leads to a settled, steady confidence rather than a vague hope. The goal is that your faith is not blind or careless, but grounded in clear truth that you have come to know as sure.

How do these verses prepare someone to answer others with "words of truth"?

The teacher says these things are written so that you “mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee.” When wise teaching is kept in your heart and clear in your mind, you are better able to speak rightly when people ask for advice or help. Instead of giving only your own opinions, you can share what God has said. This makes your words both helpful and reliable. The idea is that God’s people are not only to receive wisdom for themselves but also to pass it on, so that others may be guided by the same sure truth.

Why are the words said to be "fitted" in the listener's lips?

When the passage says the words will be “fitted in thy lips,” it means they will sit well and naturally in what you say. Once wise teaching has been stored and worked into your heart, it begins to shape your speech. You will find it easier to speak in a way that honours God and helps others. Your words will come out in a right order and with a certain grace, because they spring from a heart shaped by truth. Instead of forcing wise words, they become the natural language of someone who has been living with them and thinking on them deeply.

Who is the "thee" in this passage, and how does it relate to readers today?

In the passage the word “thee” is a way of speaking directly to a single listener, likely a son or pupil of the wise teacher. It is very personal, as if the teaching were a letter written to that one person. At the same time, the way it is written shows that anyone who hears these words is meant to see themselves addressed. The same wise God speaks through these sayings to every reader. So when you read “to thee, even to thee,” you are meant to hear that this instruction, these excellent counsels, and this call to trust in the Lord are also meant for you.

How can a believer today apply this call to hear and keep the words of the wise?

A believer today can apply this passage first by taking God’s written word seriously, treating it as personal instruction. That means coming to it with a humble, attentive heart, asking God to help you really hear and take it in. It also means storing what you read, not just in memory, but in your heart, letting it shape your choices and habits. As you do this, you can look for chances to speak these truths to others, whether in simple conversation, teaching, or encouragement. In all of this, the main aim is to grow in steady trust in the Lord.

Why does this passage say these teachings are written "this day"?

When the passage speaks of making these things known “this day,” it highlights the present moment of hearing as a special time of mercy. The listener is being reminded that God is speaking to them now, not just in the past. There is a window of light and opportunity while these truths are being set before the heart. It also suggests a sense of urgency: what is clear today should not be put off until tomorrow. The listener is encouraged to make good use of the day of instruction, to receive these words while they are fresh and plainly offered.

Prov.22.17

Proverbs 22:17

KJV

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

Saying 1

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.