Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: In this comprehensive prayer everything conducive to the perfection of the soul, to the support of the body, to our comfortable subsistence in this world, and to our preparation for a state of eternal felicity; everything that should excite the desires, and employ the activity of a wise and good man, is contained. Take the sentence, "Remove far from me vanity and lies." 1. Vanity is that passion which is founded on an exorbitant opinion of one's own situation and accomplishments, and is constantly engaged in the pursuit of admiration and applause. This passion is accompanied by great delusion with respect to ourselves, to others, and to human nature in general. The term may, however, include whatever obscures the understanding with prejudice, whatever dazzles the fancy with delusive appearances of pleasure, whatever captivates the heart with the representation of fictitious or exaggerated delight; whatever misleads the judgment or misplaces the affections. 2. Under the term "lies" is comprehended that corruption of heart which is the cause of wilful and fraudulent deception. The power of self-deception is astonishing. That the greatest evils to which we are at present exposed proceed from the folly and corruption of mankind will be acknowledged by every person of discernment. Two grand objects occupy the attention and activity of all mankind-the acquirement of good and the removal of evil. (W. L. Brown, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: |
    |