Proverbs 5:18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 5:18 (KJV)

Context

This verse sits within a longer warning against adultery. The surrounding verses describe the dangers of being drawn away by an immoral woman. Verse 18 turns from that warning to the positive path: delight in the spouse God has given. The book of Proverbs, attributed to King Solomon, offers practical wisdom for daily life, and this instruction guards the marriage covenant. The verse is the positive counterpart to the earlier warnings, showing that faithfulness is not only about avoiding evil but also about embracing good.

Meaning

The word “fountain” pictures the marriage as a source of life, refreshment, and joy. To “let thy fountain be blessed” means to receive God’s blessing on the marriage and to treat it as a gift. The second command, “rejoice with the wife of thy youth,” calls a husband to find his happiness in the wife he married when young. This is not a passive feeling but a deliberate choice to celebrate and cherish her. The verse implies that marital joy is not automatic; it grows through faithfulness and intentional care. The metaphor of the fountain also suggests that the marriage relationship is meant to be a continual source of satisfaction, not something to be neglected or taken for granted.

Biblical connections

The image of a fountain also appears in Proverbs 5:15-16, where a man is told to drink from his own cistern and well. That earlier picture points to exclusive satisfaction within marriage. The New Testament echoes this call to fidelity, as in Hebrews 13:4, which honors marriage and warns against defiling the marriage bed. Both passages agree that God blesses a faithful union. The command to rejoice is not isolated; it is part of a broader biblical theme that celebrates the goodness of marriage as a gift from God.

Application

Spouses today can apply this verse by choosing daily to delight in each other. This includes speaking kindly, spending time together, and guarding against temptations that pull attention away from the marriage. The command to rejoice is active: it means celebrating the partner’s presence, not taking the relationship for granted. For those who have failed in this area, the verse also offers hope, because God’s blessing can restore and renew a marriage that turns back to Him. Practical ways to obey include expressing gratitude, prioritizing time together, and seeking God’s help to maintain a joyful heart toward one’s spouse.

Reflection

This verse reminds us that God cares about the joy within marriage, not just its duties. A faithful marriage is a testimony to God’s own covenant love. When a husband and wife rejoice in each other, they reflect the faithful love God shows His people. The call to rejoice is also a call to gratitude, recognizing that every good gift, including a spouse, comes from God. May we not only avoid what harms marriage but also actively pursue the blessing and joy that God intends for it.