Proverbs 20:24

"A man's goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?"

"The steps of a man are guided by the Lord. But who is the man that can understand his own way."[17] Although the freedom of the human will and the individual responsibility of every mortal are continually affirmed throughout Proverbs, "This verse stresses the absolute sovereignty of God."[18] There is indeed a sublime mystery in every life. "The order of a man's life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not whither he is going, or for what God is educating him."[19] Toy, it seems to us, had a better grasp of what is taught here. "No man can comprehend fully the meaning of his own experiences; and the suggestion here is that man must throw himself on God, acknowledge, obey and trust Him; and then his life will be rationally and successfully directed."[20] The Anchor Bible also carries the same understanding. "It is by the Lord that a man's steps are directed; how (then) could a human being know which way to take"?[21]