Psalms 32:9
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Be not without understanding like the horse or the mule whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, and be not governed only by force. The verse belongs to the true and safe higher education the Lord gives, learned by studying the Word of God, which has nothing fraudulent in it and stands in contrast to the world's so-called higher education. Instead of ignorance and coercion, receive God's promise to instruct and teach in the way to go and to guide with His eye, joined to confession of sin, forgiveness, trust in the Lord, and the rejoicing of the righteous and upright in heart. Learn to understand the way of the Lord, let Him impress and refine and purify the heart and mind and life, express the divine image in thought and deed without letting self manifest itself in large proportions, and proclaim that exalted privilege to others.
Those who lack spiritual understanding and moral stability must be restrained like animals controlled by bit and bridle. When young church members were no longer held in by such restraint they eagerly pursued worldly amusements, showing little stability, moral independence, and firmness because they had not made God their trust. Reason must hold the lines of control in a firm hand and impulse must not control reason, with lust held under bit and bridle. In a marriage where the wife is an unbeliever and an opposer, the husband must not put her away on that ground alone but must abide with her in harmony with the law of God unless she herself chooses to depart, being a man of pure mind and firmly decided principles, and God will give him wisdom about his course and give comfort and strength and support and grace for every emergency of opposition and oppression and annoyance.
Habits are to be harnessed and kept under control through firm resolve and reliance on divine power, so that one's abilities are devoted to God's work. The image applies to a teacher who holds back a hasty spirit and controls the tongue under provocation, and such self-command is a victory gained with God's help that brings serenity. The lips should be restrained as with bit and bridle against speaking unbelief, since such words can harm others and place the speaker on the enemy's ground. People should not be treated like animals that must be controlled by bit and bridle, so God's messengers are not to be compelled by others to rush from place to place, but need time to understand the places where they work and should not be forced to go or leave against their judgment.
The bit-and-bridle image applies to firmly restraining a son's uncontrolled spending and business expansion. The image applies to holding oneself back from speaking and exerting oneself when the soul is full of truth, speaking only briefly and exercising restraint to protect health, avoid exhaustion, remain useful, and not spend strength recklessly, even while longing for greater power to reach people.