Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What Proverbs 3:5–6 says

Solomon tells his son to trust the Lord with all his heart and not his own understanding. The Lord then directs his paths.

Proverbs 3:5–6 in context

²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. ³Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: ⁴So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. ⁵Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ⁷Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. ⁸It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. ⁹Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3, verses 2–9. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

Proverbs 3:5–6 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite Proverbs 3:5–6 once as a proof text.

WLC 157
How is the word of God to be read?

How to memorise Proverbs 3:5–6

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.