1.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:1. The preparations of the heart, &c.— Houbigant renders it, It is in man to prepare discourse within himself; it is in the Lord to moderate or rule the tongue. Bishop Patrick says, the Hebrew words run plainly thus; Man hath the disposing of the heart: He may, with God's leave and common assistance, intend, propound, resolve within himself, what he will say and do; but that he shall be able to utter things in that order he hath premeditated, or, if he be able, shall attain the end of his deliberation and eloquent speech, is more than he can undertake; for that is as the Lord pleaseth. God, therefore, would have us to acknowledge this our weakness, and to fear and depend upon him; as it follows, Proverbs 16:3.
2.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3.
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Proverbs 16:4. The Lord hath made all things for himself, &c.— The Lord ordereth all things so as to suit his own will; yea, even the wicked for the day of vengeance. Patrick. The Lord hath made all things according to their correspondency; yea, even the wicked are fitted for, or correspond to, the day of evil. Le Cene, p. 165. The meaning, according to Schultens, is, that God hath so formed and fashioned this universe, that every thing in it has its due connection and correspondence: evil is as naturally connected with punishment, as holiness and virtue with happiness and reward.
5.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7.
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
Proverbs 16:10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king— These words, according to Melancthon, affirm the whole political order, magistrates, laws, distinction of dominions, contracts, judgments, punishments, to be things ordained by the wisdom of God among men; and since we know political order to be the work of God, we ought to love it, and study to defend it; modestly for God's sake to obey it; give thanks to God who preserves it, and look upon those who would disturb this order as most hateful in the sight of God. See Romans 13.
11.
A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12.
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15.
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
Proverbs 16:15. The latter rain— See Deu 11:14 and Joel 2:23.
16.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Proverbs 16:21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent— "Profoundness of wisdom," says Lord Bacon, "may help men to fame and admiration; but it is eloquence which prevails in business and active life."
22.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Proverbs 16:27. In his lips there is as a burning fire— See James 3:6.
28.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 16:32. And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city— It is far beyond comparison easier to conquer enemies, to take citadels, to subject people, than to conquer passions, to moderate desires, to subdue evil habits, and repress the sallies of wrath and resentment. We read of but few celebrated conquerors who have not been subdued by some passion or other. Horace has finely expressed this sentiment, lib. 2: Obadiah 1:2.
By virtue's precepts to controul The thirsty cravings of the soul, Is over wider realms to reign Unenvy'd monarch, than if Spain Thou could'st to distant Lybia join, And both the Carthages were thine. FRANCIS.
And Ovid says,
Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit Moenia, nec virtus altius ire potest.
One translation renders, the verse, Qui dominatur animo suo, expugnator est urbium; "He that can suppress his passions is even master of all cities; no strength can resist him." So that if we intend nothing but our own ease and advantage, we have reason to apply ourselves to and study this temper; in which the precepts of the philosophers give us ample instructions, and the practices of mere heathen men have left us notable examples; but the obligations of Christianity carry us much farther; we must add to this temperance, patience, which is a Christian virtue of the highest qualification.
33.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Proverbs 16:33. The lot is cast into the lap— Lots are to be considered in three different lights; or, more properly, they are of three distinct kinds. One sort is civil ballotting, of general use in states to prevent intrigues and partialities; another is a superstitious appeal to the imaginary deity, Chance, or Fortune; and there is yet a third, which is a reference of the event to heaven, by God's own direction and appointment. Of the second, or only reprehensible sort, revelation is intirely innocent; because it was customary for the Jewish people to refer all events to God, only and immediately; and the Jewish and Christian lots were confessedly of divine appointment. See Bishop Warburt. View of Bolingbr. Philos. Leviticus 3: p. 37. 8 vol. and Nehemiah 11:1.