Proverbs 16:9 - Exposition

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps ( Proverbs 16:1 ). "Man proposes, God disposes" or, as the Germans say, "Der Mensch denkt, Gott lenkt" (comp. Proverbs 20:24 ). The word rendered "deviseth" implies, by its spectra, intensity of thought and care. Man meditates and prepares his plans with the utmost solicitude, hut it rests with God whether he shall carry them to completion or not, and whether, if they are to be accomplished, it be done with ease or with painful labour (comp. Genesis 24:12 , etc.). We all remember Shakespeare's words in 'Hamlet'—

"There's a divinity that shapes our ends,

Rough-hew them how we will."

Septuagint, "Let the heart of man consider what is just, that his steps may be by God directed might" (comp. Jeremiah 10:23 ).