Proverbs 10:27

10:27 Fearing the Lord 1  prolongs life, 2 

but the life span 3  of the wicked will be shortened. 4 

Proverbs 21:31

21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but the victory is from the Lord. 5 

1 tn Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yÿhvah, “the Lord”) functions as an objective genitive.

2 tn Heb “days” (so KJV, ASV).

3 tn Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).

4 sn This general saying has to be qualified with the problem of the righteous suffering and dying young, a problem that perplexed the sages of the entire ancient world. But this is the general principle: The righteous live longer because their life is the natural one and because God blesses them.

5 tn Heb “of the Lord.” The victory being “of the Lord” means that it is accomplished by him. Ultimate success comes from the Lord and not from human efforts. The faithful have acknowledged this down through the ages, even though they have been responsible and have prepared for the wars. Without this belief there would have been no prayer on the eve of battle (e.g., Ps 20:7 and 33:17).