The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
Summary: Purity is something that can be measured in metallurgy, but when it comes to hearts, only God knows what the imperfections are.
Here’s an interesting text. Normally the tongue is the subject of dire warnings and severe denunciations (think James 3: 1-12). Yet, in this passage, the “tongue of the righteous” is valuable. More than valuable, it is compared to the best of the best; “choice” silver.
So what is it about “choice silver” that makes it a good comparison for righteous words?
Throughout Scripture, silver is used as a currency. Choice silver is probably silver without any imperfections or alloys. Modern silver collector coins are marked “.999 Pure Sliver” indicating that less than one part in a thousand is impure.
When the tongue of the righteous speaks, there is no impurity.
Imagine that! Can you? I can’t. I have no idea what pure words would sound like outside of Scripture. I think they would have to be words that are entirely centered on God and his will for them to qualify.
It could be, too, that the condition of the heart impacts the purity of the words. If a person’s heart is impure, how could their words be pure? The proverb echoes this thought in the second line:
“… but the heart of the wicked is of little value.”
In the first line, we are talking about the tongue. In the second line, we are looking at the heart. It appears that Solomon also sees a connection between the heart and the tongue.
Application: Practice speaking words of righteousness.
Food for Thought: What makes a heart valuable?
The silver in it….. 😉
But, more seriously, God determines what is valuable. He knows what lasts beyond this earth and what doesn’t. So, we could look at the beatitudes in Matthew 5, and say that those show what il makes a heart valuable. (Poor in spirit, mourn, gentle, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure, peacemakers, persecuted)
We could look at Ezekiel’s and Jeremiah’s heart transplant to see what is valuable. (New heart from God, flesh not stone, walk in His ordinance, cleansed, fear of the Lord)
Nice A!
You have pointed us to the ‘silver lining.’ 🙂
Good comments “A.”
God is certainly where we get our value. The heart in Scripture refers to the seat of emotions, passions, will, intellect. In other words, it is who we really are. Since we are created in God’s image He sees His reflection in us. Of course, that has been completely polluted by sin. The cross was necessary to enable us to be in His presence – but look how far He went so we could be with Him. He places great value on every person. Matthew 10: 29 – 31.
Rich,
From your comment it sounds like the heart is an essential part of our relationship with God. Without it, there would be no relationship. That alone makes it valuable.
04-30-2022, Proverbs 10:20, What makes a heart valuable?
The presence of Jesus Christ as Lord!
If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer we who live, but is Christ who lives in us. And the life we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave himself for us.
All who have the Son have life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Romans 10:9, 1 John 5:1, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 5:12
Ron,
Well said! The presence of Christ is valuable beyond measure. Thank you!