“By his knowledge the deeps . . .”: “Knowledge” translates the same word used in 1.4, where it matches “prudence” in the first line. “Deeps” translates a word used mainly in poetic discourse for rivers, seas, and oceans, and in this case refers to the ancient view of the waters beneath the earth.

“Broke forth”: The idea expressed briefly here is developed more extensively in 8.24-28. The language may be taken from Gen 7.11 in which “all the fountains of the great deep burst forth” at the beginning of the flood. On the other hand the reference may be to Gen 1.2. Good News Translation takes it in a general sense: “caused the rivers to flow.” Bible en français courant attempts to keep the ancient picture of the earth by saying “By his knowledge the waters beneath [the earth] gushed forth upon the land.”

“And the clouds drop down the dew”: In the ancient view the sky or heavens had windows through which the water (rain and dew) fell to the earth. Here the “dew”, which probably includes rain as well, is said to fall from the clouds. See Job 28.25-26 and 36.27-28. Good News Translation says “the clouds give rain to the earth.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .