Proverbs 16:9

A {e} man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. (e) He shows the folly of man who thinks that his ways are in his own hand, and yet is not able to move one foot unless God gives force.

man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A man’s heart deviseth his way, but God directeth his steps. — Man purposeth, God disposeth of all. Proverbs 19:21 Events many times cross expectation, "neither is it in man to order his own ways." Jeremiah 10:23 This the heathen saw, and were much troubled at, Aνδρα ορωντες θεοφιλη ουδενος επιεικεστερα τυχη χρηθαι των κακιστων . - Thucyd. as were the Athenians when their good General Nicias lost himself and his army in Sicily. So the Romans when Pompey, Cato, and others, worthy patriots, were worsted by Julius Caesar. Brutus, a wise and valiant man overthrown by Antony, cries out, ω πλημων αρετη , …, O miserable virtue, thou art a mere slave to fortune! Christians have learned better language, and can set down themselves with sounder reason if crossed of their designs or desires. They know "it is the Lord"; they are "dumb, because it is his doing," and they are "punished less than their deserts." Ezra 9:13 Pompey, that seeing all to go on Caesar’s side, said there was a great deal of mist over the eye of Providence, did no better than blame the sun, because of his sore eyes. Dio.

Deviseth his way; considers and proposeth to himself what he will do. Directeth his steps; overruleth and disposeth all their designs and actions as he pleaseth, and not as they list.

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 ; but the Lord directeth his steps: to go right on, and not turn to the right hand or the left; and to walk safely and surely, through a variety of troubles and difficulties, to his kingdom and glory.

God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last. 5. Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. 6. By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken. 7. He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him. 8. A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten. 9. If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God. 11. To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment.

9. (Compare Pr 16:3). directeth—establisheth.

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 .