Bible Strands
Proverbs 22:18
for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wise instructor addresses a learner, bridging the command to listen in the preceding verse with the stated purpose of establishing trust in the LORD in the following verse.
The words — נָעִים (Na.'im) translates to "[will be] pleasant," and תִשְׁמְרֵם (tish'merem) means "you will keep them," both describing the internal and external handling of the instruction.
The thread — This pattern of internalizing and vocalizing divine instruction appears in Jeremiah 15:16, Proverbs 2:10, and Proverbs 8:6.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to retain the teaching internally and rehearse it verbally until it becomes a fixed habit, rather than treating it as abstract information.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.
- Proverbs 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul.
- Proverbs 8:6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
- Psalms 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!
- Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
- Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
- John 7:38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
- Job 32:18 For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
- Psalms 19:10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
- Psalms 119:13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.