Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 25:20 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. "
Proverbs 25:20
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
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It is foolish to sing cheerful songs to someone with a heavy heart. People in deep sorrow need sympathy, comfort, and agreement in their grief. If we respond that way, even our words can ease their pain (Job 16:5). But we deal wrongly with them if we try to cheer them up with merry talk, as if that alone could fix their sorrow.
That only makes things worse. It is like taking away a coat from someone in cold weather, which leaves him even colder. It is also like pouring vinegar on nitre, which causes a sharp reaction. In the same way, cheerful songs are out of place with a sorrowful spirit.
Some understand the saying in the opposite way. They take it to mean that just as a coat warms someone in the cold, or vinegar softens nitre, so songs of comfort can refresh a person who is sad and help drive away grief.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 25:1
"These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out."
Proverbs 25:2
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."
Proverbs 25:3
"As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable."
Proverbs 25:4
"Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner."
Proverbs 25:5
"Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness."
Proverbs 25:6
"Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;"
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