Proverbs 23:29

Who hath woe? Here begins an ode on the subject of drunkenness. The poetic diction and imagery makes it a strikingly vivid picture of one of the greatest causes of sin and sorrow that Satan has stimulated men to invent.

The first two exclamations may be translated literally, “Who hath Oh!? Who hath Alas!?” Hence the song begins with the groans of the drinker who has awakened to a painful reaction from a night of indulgence.

Contentions. Quarrels frequently arise in one of the later stages of drunkenness. Men will fight with their best friends. Though abilities are reduced by liquor, many are still well able to inflict physical harm as well as incalculable psychological damage upon the innocent and helpless members of their families when they return home after a round of drinking.

Babbling. Heb. siach, perhaps better, “complaint” as in Job 7:13; 9:27; 10:1; still better, “concern,” “despair,” rather than the foolish talk that marks the more genial part of the drinking bout, which the translation, “babbling,” implies. Siach may refer to the remorse most victims of the craving for alcohol feel when they awake to a realization of their behavior.

Wounds without cause. That is, they are entirely unnecessary. These are suffered both by the drinkers and by their families.

Redness of eyes. Literally, “darkness of eyes.” The bloodshot eyes peering dimly at the world are part of the recovery phase.