Proverbs 16:1-24:34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:1

As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phil. 2:13; Ps. 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1

The preparations of the heart in man ,.... The sense of these words, according to our version, depends upon the next clause, and the meaning of the whole is, that a man can neither think nor speak without God: the "orderings" or "marshallings of the heart" F1 מערכי לב "dispositiones sive ordinationes", Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis; "instructiones adversae aciei in corde", Schultens. , as it may be rendered; that is, of the thoughts of the heart, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:1

The preparations of the heart in man - The Hebrew is לב מערכי לאדם leadam maarchey leb , which is, literally, "To man are the dispositions of the heart; but from the Lord is the answer of the tongue." Man proposes his wishes; but God answers as he thinks proper. The former is the free offspring of the heart of man; the latter, the free volition of God. Man may think as he pleases, and ask as he lists; but God will give, or not give, as he thinks proper. This I believe to be the meaning... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1

Man's thought and God's work Theology and philosophy have ever been confronted with the problem of the interrelation of the Divine and the human in life. If God is supreme, what room is there for man's will, thought, and individual personality? If man has freedom and power, how can God be the infinite Ruler and Disposer of all things? It may not be possible to reconcile the two positions. But it must be unwise to ignore either of them. If we cannot mark their confines, we can at least... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-3

The rule and guidance of Jehovah I. GOD THE OBJECT AND FULFILMENT OF HUMAN DESIRE . We are wishful, craving creatures, "with no language but a sigh." The answer of the praying tongue and heart is God himself—in the fulness of his wisdom and love, the generosity of his gifts, the accessibility of his presence. A philosopher of this century actually taught that God was the Creator of human wishes and imagination. Let us rather say, it is God who creates and calls forth the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-7

These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-9

Thought, action, prayer It may be said that the three main elements of human experience are those of thinking, of acting, and of praying. We have not done our best until we have done all of these. I. THOUGHT . "The preparations of the heart belong to man" (Revised Version). "Thy thoughts" ("thy purposes," Revised Version). We are told of Peter, after the denial, that "when he thought thereon, he wept" ( Mark 14:72 ). But if he had thought beforehand what grief he would cause his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:1

Proverbs 16:1. The preparations of the heart in man, &c. As we read this verse, it teacheth us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think, or speak, any thing of ourselves, that is wise and good, but all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Philippians 2:13; Psalms 10:17. But most read it otherwise, namely, thus: The preparation of the heart is in man, he may contrive this and the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

Laying plans and making decisions (16:1-33)A person may make plans, but God is the one who determines their outcome. He knows the person’s unseen motives and controls events according to his purposes. It is important, therefore, always to bring God into one’s planning (16:1-4). God punishes the arrogant but has mercy on those who fear him (5-6). He protects them from harm and guides them on the right pathway (7-9).When a king’s wisdom comes from God, his decisions will be right. He will show no... read more

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