Proverbs 16:1

“The preparations of the heart in man, etc.] 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”f459, as it may be rendered; that is, of the thoughts of the heart, which are generally irregular and confused; the ranging them in order, as an army in battle array, or as things regularly placed on a well furnished table; the fixing them on any particular subject, though about things civil and natural, so as closely to attend to them, and proceed in a regular manner in the consideration of them, are not without the concurrence of divine…”

“(Pro. 16:1-33) preparations--schemes. in man--or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him. the answer . . . Lord--The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."”

“The proverbs in Proverbs 16:1-7 have, more than any other group, an especially religious character impressed upon them. The name of Yahweh as Giver, Guide, Ruler, or Judge, meets us in each of them. Proverbs 16:1 Better, The plans of the heart belong to man, but the utterance of the tongue is from Yahweh. Thoughts come and go, as it were, spontaneously; but true, well ordered speech is the gift of God. Compare Proverbs 16:9. return to 'Top of Page'”

“From the Lord - Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well without Divine assistance. Proverbs 16:2”

“16:1 Our own plans will come to fruition only if God allows (see also 16:9, 33; Jas 4:13-16).”

“preparations: or, disposings, Pro 16:9, Pro 19:21, Pro 20:24, Pro 21:1; Ch2 18:31; Ezr 7:27; Neh 1:11; Psa 10:17, Psa 119:36; Jer 10:23, Jer 32:39, Jer 32:40; Eze 36:26, Eze 36:27; Co2 8:16; Phi 2:13; Jam 1:16-18 and: Exo 4:11, Exo 4:12, Exo 4:15; Jer 1:7-9; Mat 10:19, Mat 10:20; Luk 12:11, Luk 12:12, Luk 21:14, Luk 21:15 Proverbs 16:2”

“Four proverbs of God, the disposer of all things: 1 Man's are the counsels of the heart; But the answer of the tongue cometh from Jahve. Gesen., Ewald, and Bertheau incorrectly understand 1b of hearing, i.e., of a favourable response to what the tongue wishes; 1a speaks not of wishes, and the gen. after מענה (answer) is, as at Pro 15:23; Mic 3:7, and also here, by virtue of the parallelism, the gen. subjecti Pro 15:23 leads to the right sense, according to which a good answer is joy to him to whom it refers: it does not always happen to one to find the fitting and effective expression for that which he has in his mind; it is, as this cog. proverb expresses it, a gift from above (δοθήσεται,…”