Proverbs 16: Yahweh Directs Our Steps
People make their plans, but Yahweh weighs the heart, directs the steps, and rules every outcome.
Proverbs 16 (WEB)
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.
3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes 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 plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
Proverbs 16 (KJV)
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Proverbs 16 (ASV)
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: Thoughhandjoinin hand, he shall not be unpunished.
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; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are Jehovah’s; All the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king isasmessengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pridegoethbefore destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools istheirfolly.
23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words areas a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.
27 A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.
30 He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.
Summary
This chapter is dense with sayings about Yahweh's sovereignty over human plans, motives, and outcomes. People plan in their hearts, but the answer of the tongue, the direction of their steps, and even the lot's decision come from the LORD, who weighs the motives behind ways that seem clean in our own eyes. We are urged to commit our deeds to Yahweh and trust him, finding that when our ways please him he even makes our enemies at peace with us. Pride is named an abomination that goes before destruction, while a lowly spirit is exalted. A cluster of sayings turns to the king, whose throne is established by righteousness and whose favor is like spring rain. The chapter prizes wisdom above gold, pleasant words that are a honeycomb to the soul, and a self-control that surpasses conquering a city.
Main Characters
- Yahweh — The LORD who weighs motives, directs our steps, establishes our plans, and decides even the cast lot.
- The king — The ruler whose throne stands by righteousness, whose wrath kills and whose favor gives life.
- The wise — Those who get wisdom above gold, instruct their mouths, and rule their own spirit.
- The proud — Those whose haughty heart Yahweh abhors and whose pride precedes destruction and a fall.
Key Verse
Proverbs 16:9 (WEB)
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
Lessons Learned
- We may make our plans, but God directs our steps and rules the outcome.
- Yahweh weighs not just our actions but the motives beneath them.
- Pride leads to downfall, while a humble spirit is the path to honor.
- Self-control over one's own spirit is a greater victory than conquering a city.
- We plan, but God directs the way. A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9, WEB).
- God weighs the motives we cannot see. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives (Proverbs 16:2, WEB).
- Entrusting our work to God establishes it. Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed (Proverbs 16:3, WEB).
- Pride is the prelude to a fall. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18, WEB).
- Wisdom outvalues all earthly riches. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver (Proverbs 16:16, WEB).
- Mastering yourself surpasses conquering cities. One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32, WEB).
- How does the chapter describe the relationship between our planning and Yahweh's direction (Proverbs 16:9)?
- What does it mean that Yahweh weighs the motives behind ways that seem clean to us (Proverbs 16:2)?
- What does the chapter teach about the danger of pride (Proverbs 16:18)?
- Where do you most need to commit your plans to Yahweh and trust him to direct your steps?
- What would ruling your own spirit, valued above taking a city, look like in your life this week?
- A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. We are free to plan, yet God remains sovereign over the actual outcome, so wise planning is held together with humble trust in his direction.
- Our ways look clean in our own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives. God looks past outward actions to the hidden intentions of the heart, so genuine integrity matters more than mere appearance.
- Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall, while a lowly spirit is exalted. The chapter treats pride as a self-destructive abomination and humility as the path to honor.
- Personal: invite members to name plans they are gripping tightly. Encourage them to commit those deeds to Yahweh and trust him to direct their steps, holding plans with open hands.
- Personal: let members consider where their spirit runs unchecked in anger or impulse. Encourage them to pursue the self-mastery the chapter prizes above taking a city, depending on God's help.