4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2-Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1-Chronicles 28:9; 1-Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Ps. 37.
He taught me also, and said - Open thy heart to receive my instructions - receive them with affection; when heard, retain and practice them; and thou shalt live - the great purpose of thy being brought into the world shall be accomplished in thee.
He (b) taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
(b) Meaning, David his father.
He taught me also, and said unto me,.... The Targum is,
"they taught me,''
his father and his mother; and so the Septuagint version,
"who said and taught me;''
and the Arabic version,
"they both taught me, and said unto me;''
but in the Hebrew it is singular, and is restrained to the father. He taught him when he was very young, and also gave him instructions when he was older, and a little before his own death; see 1-Chronicles 28:8; he taught him by the several psalms he wrote; some of which are called "maschil", instructive or causing to understand; two of them particularly were written for him, the seventy-second and the hundred twenty-seventh psalms; he taught him in the following words. How far the words of David his father reach is not agreed on, on all hands; some think they end with Proverbs 4:5; others with Proverbs 4:6, others with the Proverbs 4:9, and the words of Solomon begin at Proverbs 4:10, some will have it that they take in the whole chapter, which is not probable; nay, others say that the whole of the book following is his, which can by no means be agreed to: it seems most likely to me that they end at Proverbs 4:6, and at most are not to be carried beyond Proverbs 4:9;
let thine heart retain my words: says David to his son: the instructions he gave him by word of mouth, concerning his moral behaviour, relating to political things, the government of the people; and especially such as concerned the everlasting welfare of his soul, or were about Wisdom or Christ, and the knowledge of divine and spiritual things; these he would have him lay up in his heart, and keep them there, as a rich treasure, to have recourse unto upon all occasions;
keep my commandments, and live: which commandments may respect him both in his private and public capacity, and in a religious and political one; how he should behave as a man, a king, and one that feared God: as well as they may respect his orders for the building of the temple, and settling and establishing the worship of God in it; by observing which he would live comfortably and honourably, and to a good old age.
He taught--or directed me.
retain--as well as receive.
keep . . . and live--observe, that you may live (Proverbs 7:2).
Said - The following verses, at least as far as the tenth verse, are the words of David.
*More commentary available at chapter level.