"Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips."
Proverbs 27:2
One of the correct uses for the tongue is to praise. We are to use our mouths to praise God and at times, others also.
“He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen” (Deuteronomy 10:21).
However, we shouldn’t use our tongues to praise ourselves.
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth;”
Our “old man” enjoys praising itself, and our pride seems to find ways to sneak out, and self-praise is one of those ways.
“We have a similar proverb, which illustrates this: ‘Self-praise is no commendation’” (Clarke).
The Latin’s had a similar saying,
“Self-praise defiles the mouth.”
We should love and serve others, but our motivation should not be their praise.
“The sun does not praise himself, but under his splendor and warmth, men look up and say how pleasing a thing it is for the eyes to behold the light” (Biblical Illustrator).
Jesus honored men when it was deserved.
He said of the centurion,
“When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matthew 8:10).
And of John the Baptist,
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).
“A stranger, and not thine own lips.”
A German proverb says,
“Self-praise stinks, a friend’s praise is lame, a stranger’s praise sounds.”
Believers let’s be quick to praise the Lord, and others who are deserving of it. Never self-seeking, to be commended ourselves. Let’s love and serve others for the Lord’s glory.
“Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33).
1. Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Henry quoting a Latin saying.
3. The Biblical Illustrator, the electronic version in eSword.
4. Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword. A German proverb quoted by the authors.