---
title: "Wesley"
description: "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. From the Lord — Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well with"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/wesleys-explanatory-notes/proverbs/16"
---

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
*From the Lord* — Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well without Divine assistance.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
*Weigheth* — Exactly knows as men do the things which they weigh.
*Spirits* — The hearts of men.

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
*Commit* — Refer all thy actions and concerns to God, as the end of them, and depend upon God's providence for success.
*Established* — Thy designs shall be brought to an happy issue.

The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
*Doth work* — He orders or disposes.
*For* — For his own glory; for the discovery of his wisdom, power, goodness, truth, justice.
*The wicked* — Wilful and impenitent sinners. Men make themselves wicked, and God therefore makes them miserable.

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
*By mercy* — By a merciful and just and faithful frame of heart and course of life.
*Is purged* — As they qualify a man to offer up acceptable prayers to God for the pardon of his sins.
*By fear* — By a filial reverence unto God.
*Depart* — They are kept from abusing pardoning mercy, and from returning to folly or wickedness.

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
*Deviseth* — Proposes what he will do.
*Directeth* — Over-rules and disposes all his designs and actions.

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
*A divine sentence* — Great sagacity and piercing judgment.
*Of the king* — Of wise kings; who only are worthy of that name and office.

A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
*The Lord's* — Are made by his direction and appointment, so that no man can alter them without violating God's rights and authority.

In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
*A cloud* — As acceptable as those clouds which bring the latter rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened a little before the harvest.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
*The high-way* — Their common road, in which they walk, tho' through frailty or temptation they slip into the bypath of sin.
*From evil* — From the evil of sin, and consequently from the evil of punishment.
*Keepeth* — That takes heed to walk in that high-way.

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
*Good* — He who orders his affairs with discretion.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
*The wise* — He who is truly wise, shall be so accounted by others.
*Sweetness* — Eloquence added to wisdom.
*Increaseth* — Both in himself, for while a man teaches others, he improves himself; and others, who by this means are induced to hear and receive his instructions.

Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
*The instruction* — Their most grave and serious counsels are foolish.

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
*Teacheth* — Directs him what to speak, and keeps him from speaking foolishly.
*Addeth* — Enables him to speak learnedly and wisely.

An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
*Diggeth up* — Prosecutes his evil designs with great industry.
*His lips* — His tongue is set on fire of hell.

He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
*Shutteth* — That his thoughts may be more intent.
*Moving* — Which is the gesture of one whose thoughts are deeply engaged.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
*Is better* — Of a more gallant and generous spirit, and more valiant and victorious.

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
*The lot* — As the ancient practice was in deciding doubtful things. The event of which though casual to men, is directed by God's providence.

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