Proverbs 5:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,

NIV: May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

NASB: Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

CSB: Let your fountain be blessed, and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.

NLT: Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

KJV: Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

NKJV: Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth.

Continuing the analogy of a spouse—in this case, a man's wife—as a well of refreshing water, Solomon advises his students to take joy in that relationship. Earlier verses implied that part of the joy of sexuality in a marriage was the sense of care and legitimacy it brings (Proverbs 5:15).

A husband should seek ways to bless his wife, so the two may live happily together. This counsel would include loving her, praying for her, and honoring her. Ephesians 5:25 commands: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." This verse teaches that a husband's love for his wife should be sacrificial. A loving husband puts his wife's interests ahead of his own.

First Peter 3:7 commands: "Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." The husband ought to derive joy from his marriage, and from his commitment to it. Isaiah 62:5 compares the joy a bridegroom derives from his bride to God's rejoicing over His people.

Proverbs 5:15–23 follows sections warning about the temptations and consequences of adultery. In this closing section of Proverbs 5, Solomon advises each of his sons to stay faithful to his wife in a monogamous relationship and to enjoy the blessings of marriage. He points out that the Lord knows all about each person's conduct.

Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.

This chapter continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his children and / or students. Solomon warns about the temptation to succumb to adultery. He points out the calamities of yielding to sexual sin, and of violating one's marriage. This warning is similar the one given in Proverbs 1:8–10. After cautioning about the risks of adultery, he cites the joys and advantages of monogamous marriage.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.