A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.—Proverbs 29:23
According to NET Bible Notes, “there is a wordplay here due to the repetition of the root שָׁפֵל (shafel). In the first line the verb תִּשְׁפִּילֶנּוּ (tishpilennu) is the Hiphil imperfect of the root, rendered "will bring him low." In the second line the word is used in the description of the "lowly of spirit," שְׁפַל־רוּחַ (shéfal-ruakh). The contrast works well: The proud will be brought "low," but the one who is "lowly" will be honored. In this instance the wordplay can be preserved in the translation.”
Beloved…the proud will be brought low but the lowly will be honored.
I also like this from NET Bible Notes. The Hebrew word translated "lowly" forms an implied comparison: To be humble is like being low, base, earthbound; whereas pride is often compared to being high, lofty - at least in one's own eyes.
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.—Jeremiah 9:23-24
Father…Me (who deserves only suffering and death), You, in Your goodness and grace, have brought near. You inclined to me and heard my cry. You brought me up out of a horrible pit and put a new song in my mouth. My heart even now as I remember fills with endless and inexpressible gratitude.
Oh, Father, keep the foot of pride far from me! Help me as I go about my day to come to You and learn from You for You are meek and lowly in heart. You are where my soul finds peace and rest. Clothe me with humility. I want to live in submission to Your perfect will. I want to live drawing ever nearer to You. Your word is clear. Those who exalt themselves, you will humble and those who humble themselves, you will exalt. May I never glory in anything or anyone but You.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12:9, 10
Lord…May I see every difficulty, every weakness, every reproach, every need and every distress as an opportunity for my life to reflect Your glorious, all sufficient grace. Help me to embrace weakness knowing that Your grace and strength will be perfected in it…knowing that in all Your purposes will stand. You also will use them to increase my dependence on You.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.—1 Peter 5:6-7
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.—Proverbs 18:12
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility.—Proverbs 15:33
The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?" 31 While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."—Daniel 4:30-32
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."— Luke 14:11
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.—Psalm 103:1-14
