Proverbs 20:5

“Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water, etc.] Pure and undisturbed, but secret, hidden, and hard to be come at: such are the things of the spirit of a man, the thoughts of his mind, the devices of his heart; which, though easily known by the searcher of hearts, are not easily penetrated into by men; or it is not easily got out of them what is in them, especially in some men, who are very close and reserved. This is true of wicked men, who seek sleep to hide their counsel; and of good men, especially studious men, who have got a great deal of wisdom and knowledge in them, but not very communicative, being slow of speech, and silent in conversation; but a man of understanding will…”

“Counsel . . . water--that is, deeply hidden (Pro 18:4; Psa 13:2). The wise can discern well.”

“The contest between reticence on the one side and pertinacity in search on the other is represented as by a parable. The well may be very deep (compare the marginal reference), but the man of understanding” has enough skill to draw up the water even to the last drop. Every question is, as it were, a turning of the windlass. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Counsel - Designs of doing something of moment. Deep water - Is secret and hard to be discovered. Proverbs 20:8”

“Pro 18:4; Psa 64:6; Co1 2:11 Proverbs 20:6”

“5 The purpose in the heart of a man is deep water; But a man of understanding draweth it out. "Still waters are deep." Like such deep waters ( Pro 18:4) is that which a man hath secretly ( Isa 29:15) planned in his heart. He keeps it secret, conceals it carefully, craftily misleads those who seek to draw it out; but the man of תּבוּנה, i.e., one who possesses the right criteria for distinguishing between good and bad, true and false, and at the same time has the capacity to look through men and things, draws out (the Venet. well, ἀνέλξει) the secret עצה, for he penetrates to the bottom of the deep water. Such an one does not deceive himself with men, he knows how to estimate their conduct…”