A Gentle Tongue and the Heart (Proverbs 15)

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

　　　　　　　　(Proverbs 15:4)

Proverbs 15 is a chapter about words.

From its opening lines:

“A soft answer turneth away wrath:

but grievous words stir up anger.”

(Proverbs 15:1, KJV)

Again and again, the chapter speaks of the

tongue,

mouth,

lips,

answer,

and speaking.

Yet more than words themselves,

we begin to see the heart behind them.

“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer.”

(Proverbs 15:28, KJV)

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.”

(Proverbs 15:13, KJV)

The chapter repeatedly turns our attention not only to human words and hearts, but

also to the perspective of the Lord who sees them.

“Hell and destruction are before the LORD:

how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”

(Proverbs 15:11, KJV)

And then, once again,

the Tree of Life appears.

עֵץ חַיִּים

(Etz Chayim)

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life.”

This is the fourth appearance of the Tree of Life in Proverbs:

Wisdom is a tree of life. (Proverbs 3:18)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. (Proverbs 11:30)

A desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

A gentle tongue is a tree of life. (Proverbs 15:4)

Interestingly,

in chapter 13, the Tree of Life is linked with hope,

while in chapter 15, it is linked with the tongue.

Words can refresh and nourish others,

or they can break the spirit.

Both landscapes are portrayed here.

As I walk through the forest of Proverbs,

I find that in chapter 15,

the Tree of Life

is standing beside the tongue.

Words can refresh and nourish others, or they can break the spirit.