The Meaning of Proverbs 15:15 Explained

Proverbs 15:15

KJV: All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

YLT: All the days of the afflicted are evil, And gladness of heart is a perpetual banquet.

Darby: All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.

ASV: All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

All the days  of the afflicted  [are] evil:  but he that is of a merry  heart  [hath] a continual  feast. 

What does Proverbs 15:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 15:1-17 - Kind Words And Glad Hearts
A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright-these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God's Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3, r.v.
Notice, also, the inducements to a right and holy life! Treasure in the house; answered prayer; the love of God; a cheerful heart; a contented mind-such are some of the by-products and experiences of those whose life is "hid with Christ in God." When we put first things in the first place, all else is added.
What a comfort it is that God searcheth our hearts and knoweth them altogether! Yes, and even when He chastens and corrects us, it is well. There is no bliss comparable to that of the forgiven sinner, who is called into "the secret place of the Most High." [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath

What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:15 mean?

All the days of the afflicted [are] evil but he who is of a merry heart [has] a feast continual
כָּל־ יְמֵ֣י עָנִ֣י רָעִ֑ים וְטֽוֹב־ לֵ֝֗ב מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה תָמִֽיד

יְמֵ֣י  the  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
עָנִ֣י  of  the  afflicted 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עָנִי  
Sense: poor, afflicted, humble, wretched.
רָעִ֑ים  [are]  evil 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
וְטֽוֹב־  but  he  who  is  of  a  merry 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
לֵ֝֗ב  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
מִשְׁתֶּ֥ה  [has]  a  feast 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁתֶּה  
Sense: feast, drink, banquet.
תָמִֽיד  continual 
Parse: Adverb
Root: תָּמִיד  
Sense: continuity, perpetuity, to stretch.