The Meaning of Proverbs 3:1 Explained

Proverbs 3:1

KJV: My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

YLT: My son! my law forget not, And my commands let thy heart keep,

Darby: My son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments;

ASV: My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

My son,  forget  not my law;  but let thine heart  keep  my commandments: 

What does Proverbs 3:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:1-12 - The Results Of Trusting Jehovah
How replete with helpful instruction on the policy of life is this paragraph! The young of both sexes are invited to be merciful in their judgments or dealings, and faithful in the discharge of their responsibilities or duties. These are two prime qualifications for a right attitude toward God and man.
The perplexed are bidden to distrust their own understanding and to trust in God for guidance. If you do not see your way, wait till God reveals it. Notice the repeated word all-all thine heart, all thy ways. A thread reaching from our person to the ground may impair our perfect insularity. The business man is urged to honor God, as Abraham did, when returning laden with booty from his conflict with the freebooting kings, Genesis 14:23. The suffering are urged to look beyond their pain and sorrow to the hand that chastens, Proverbs 3:11-12. These precious words are endorsed by later Scriptures. See Hebrews 12:5-6 and Revelation 3:19. We can never forget the tender assurance of Job 5:18-19. There is no chance in life; accept all as by God's appointment or permission. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 3

1  various exhortations
13  The gain of wisdom
27  Exhortation to goodness
33  the different state of the wicked and upright

What do the individual words in Proverbs 3:1 mean?

My son my law not do forget but my commands let keep your heart
בְּ֭נִי תּוֹרָתִ֣י אַל־ תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י יִצֹּ֥ר לִבֶּֽךָ

בְּ֭נִי  My  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
תּוֹרָתִ֣י  my  law 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: תֹּורָה  
Sense: law, direction, instruction.
תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח  do  forget 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: כָּשַׁח 
Sense: to forget, ignore, wither.
וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י  but  my  commands 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: מִצְוָה  
Sense: commandment.
יִצֹּ֥ר  let  keep 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נְצוּרִים 
Sense: to guard, watch, watch over, keep.
לִבֶּֽךָ  your  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.