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Proverbs 19:21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 19:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There are many devices in a man`s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There are many devices in a man`s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
Proverbs 19:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; nd set not thy heart on his destruction.
19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver [him], thou must do it yet again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man`s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life; And he [that hath it] shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
← Proverbs 19:20Proverbs 19:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“My son, fear thou the Lord, and the king, etc.] First the Lord, and then the king; and such as fear the Lord are generally loyal to their king; the fear of God includes love to him, reverence of him, faith in him, submission to him, and the whole worship of him, inward and outward, attended with holiness of life and conversation: and the king, who is under God, is to be feared also, with a fear suitable to him; he is to be loved and reverenced, to be trusted in and submitted to, in everything consistent with the fear of God and obedience to him; in whatever is not contrary to his laws, commands, and ordinances; (see <600213>1 Peter 2:13-17); [and] meddle not with them that are given to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 16:1, Pro 16:9; Psa 33:10-11). The failure of man's devices is implied.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Contrast the many purposes of man, shifting, changing, from good to better, from bad to worse, and the one unchanging righteous “counsel” of Yahweh. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“many: Pro 12:2; Gen 37:19, Gen 37:20; Est 9:25; Psa 21:11, Psa 33:10, Psa 33:11, Psa 83:4; Ecc 7:29; Isa 7:6, Isa 7:7; Dan 11:24, Dan 11:25; Mat 26:4, Mat 26:5, Mat 27:63, Mat 27:64 nevertheless: Pro 16:1, Pro 16:9, Pro 21:1, Pro 21:30; Gen 45:4-8, Gen 50:20; Job 23:13; Isa 14:24, Isa 14:26, Isa 14:27; Isa 46:10; Dan 4:35; Act 4:27, Act 4:28, Act 5:38, Act 5:39; Eph 1:11; Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18; Pe1 2:8; Jde 1:4 Proverbs 19:22”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification