Proverbs 12:25

Commentary on Proverbs 12:25

Text (King James Version):
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25)

1. Exegetical Commentary

1.1 Immediate Context in Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12[i] is a collection of wisdom sayings contrasting righteousness and wickedness, diligence and laziness, truth and deceit, and the life-giving nature of wise speech. The chapter consistently highlights that righteousness leads to stability, joy, and flourishing, while wickedness leads to ruin and sorrow.

Within this framework, Proverbs 12:25 addresses the inner life of a person—specifically the emotional and spiritual burden that weighs down the heart. It also highlights the power of words to bring relief, encouragement, and restoration.

1.2 Word Study and Meaning

• “Heaviness” refers to anxiety, worry, or deep emotional distress. It is the kind of internal burden that bends a person over, spiritually and emotionally.
• “Maketh it stoop” paints a vivid picture of a person bowed down under a load. The Hebrew imagery suggests a heart collapsing under weight.
• “A good word” refers to a timely, truthful, gracious, and encouraging word—speech that aligns with God’s wisdom.
• “Maketh it glad” means to bring joy, lift the spirit, and restore strength.

1.3 Theological Insights

1. Human frailty is real.
   Scripture does not dismiss emotional heaviness. It acknowledges that even the righteous experience anxiety and sorrow. This aligns with other biblical texts such as Psalm 34:18:
   “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
2. Words have moral and spiritual weight.
   Proverbs 12 repeatedly emphasises the power of speech. For example, Proverbs 12:18 says:
   “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
   Words can wound or heal. They can crush or lift up.
3. God’s wisdom produces life-giving speech.
   A “good word” is not merely positive thinking. It is speech shaped by truth, compassion, and righteousness. Ultimately, the greatest “good word” is the gospel itself—the announcement of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
4. The burdened heart finds relief in God’s promises.
   The “good word” that gladdens the heart is most fully expressed in God’s own Word. Psalm 94:19 says:
   “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

1.4 Christological Reflection

While Proverbs does not explicitly mention Christ, the New Testament reveals Him as the embodiment of divine wisdom. Jesus speaks the ultimate “good word” to the heavy-hearted:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Christ not only speaks comfort; He bears our burdens at the cross. His resurrection assures believers that sorrow and anxiety do not have the final word.

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2. Meditation Guide

2.1 Reflective Questions

• What burdens or anxieties are causing my heart to “stoop” at the moment?
• Whose words have encouraged me recently, and why did they have such an impact?
• How might God be calling me to speak a “good word” to someone else today?
• Am I allowing God’s Word to speak into my heaviness?

2.2 Prayerful Meditation

Sit quietly and bring your heaviness before God.
Pray through Proverbs 12:25, asking the Lord to lift your heart by His truth.

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25)

Meditate on a comforting passage such as Psalm 23:4:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Ask God to make your speech a source of life and encouragement to others.

2.3 Practical Application

• Speak intentionally.
  Make it a habit to offer genuine encouragement grounded in truth, not flattery.
• Listen deeply.
  Often the “good word” someone needs begins with being heard.
• Memorise Scripture.
  Let God’s promises be the “good word” that gladdens your own heart.
• Seek community.
  Proverbs assumes we live in relationship. Share your burdens with trusted believers.
• Point others to Christ.
  The deepest gladness comes from the gospel.

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[i] Proverbs 12

King James Version

12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

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

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.