Proverbs 16:9

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A MAN'S HEART DEVISETH HIS WAY: BUT THE LORD DIRECTETH HIS STEPS - (note, ; .) In contrast to man's anxious devising of his own way stands the Lord's sovereign disposal of his steps. Though in one sense man's will is free, yet in another he is overruled by God's all-ordering providence. Man proposes, God disposes. Nay, more; God has at his control our very thoughts (). Our wisdom is to "commit our way unto the Lord" when we set about anything (; )....

Verse Proverbs 16:9. _A MAN'S HEART DEVISETH HIS WAY_] This is precisely the same sentiment as that contained in the first verse, on the true meaning of which so much has been already said....

DEVISETH HIS WAY - i. e., Thinks it out with anxious care; yet it is the Lord and He only who directs the steps. Compare Proverbs 16:1....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 16:1 These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. PROVERBS 16:1 The Authorized Version makes one sentence of this verse without any contrast or antithesis. This is plainly wrong, there being intended a contrast between the thought of the heart and the well ordered speech. It is better translated, _The plans of the heart are man_'_s_:_ but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. _Men make plans, arrange speeches, muster arguments, in the mind; but to put these into proper, persuasive words is a gift of God. "Our sufficiency is of God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). In the case of

A MAN'S HEART DEVISETH HIS WAY,.... This is to be understood, not of a wicked man, in whose heart is frowardness, and who devises mischief and evil imaginations continually, Proverbs 6:14; for such are an abomination to the Lord; nor will he direct their goings, or prosper and succeed them in their ways: but of a good man, or righteous man, as Aben Ezra; who thinks of the way in which he should go, and desires to walk in a right way, as Jarchi; and who is influenced by the Spirit and grace of God to think and act in this manner; for otherwise the way of man is not in himself; it is not of his own devising and finding out; nor is his disposition to walk in it of himself; and it is only such a man, a good man, whose steps are ordered by the Lord, as follows; see Jeremiah 10:23;...

CHAPTER 16 IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--“Man proposes--God disposes.” Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed (literal: rolled upon) unto the LORD, then establishment and blessing will follow. It is strange that these three verses were omitted in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. The LORD hath made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil Proverbs 16:4. Much error has been taught in connection with this verse. Some have taught that God made some wicked. It is not said

PROVERBS 16. The special feature is a group of aphorisms (Proverbs 16:10) relating to kings. The sentiments seem rather to reflect the picture of the ideal king than to indicate any particular period. The metaphors employed and the character depicted suggest a parallel with the ideal king of Psalms 72. PROVERBS 16:4. The lit. rendering of Proverbs 16:4 a is Yahweh has made every work for its answer_ i.e._ the nexus of cause and effect seen in the moral government of the world is His work, a kind of prearranged harmony. The supreme instance is the case of the wicked, their answer is the day of evil. We have an assertion of the righteousness of Yahweh's government rather than of their predestinati

DEVISETH HIS WAY. See notes on Proverbs 16:1. DIRECTETH HIS STEPS. Illustrations: Joseph's brethren (Genesis 37:18, and Pro 45:5); Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:5); Saul (1 Samuel 9:3 1 Samuel 9:15, 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 23:26. 1Sa 23:-28); Jesse (1 Samuel 16:8;...

Comp. Proverbs 16:1 of this chapter....

CHAPTER 16 TEXT Proverbs 16:1-11 1. The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah. 2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits. 3. Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established. 4. Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil. 7. When a man's ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8. Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice. 9. A man's heart deviseth his way; B