More than Heavy

(Proverbs 25:20 KJV)  As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

I am always amazed at how translators work to be creative and insightful.  The meaning of “heavy” (troubled NASB) (7451a) is evil.  The KJV translates it that way 440 times.  Both the KJV and the NASB use these English words once.  I think there is a desire in us to deny the presence of evil all around us.  None of the Bibles on my software uses “evil” here.

We think of evil as child molestation or rape.  Both of those actions are destructive and almost impossible to make right.  Yet how many children have been ruined for life by well meaning teachers who teach them to avoid responsibility for their actions and to look at themselves as victims?  How many “loving” parents have seriously handicapped their children by refusing to discipline them?  How many meaningful actions of congress have been gutted with pork barrel add ons?

So?  You don’t need to walk down the street pointing a finger and yelling, “Evil!”  You do need to be aware that it exists and it won’t go away just because you sing it a nice tune or pay it a compliment.  The only antidote is the grace of God and the blood of the Lamb.