161 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
161 The preparations
161 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
161 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
161 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
161 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
17 The victim's faint pulse picks up; the hearts of the hopeless pump red blood as you put your ear to their lips.
17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,
17 Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.
(Read Psalm 10:12-18)
The psalmist speaks with astonishment, at the wickedness of the wicked, and at the patience and forbearance of God. God prepares the heart for prayer, by kindling holy desires, and strengthening our most holy faith, fixing the thoughts, and raising the affections, and then he graciously accepts the prayer. The preparation of the heart is from the Lord, and we must seek unto him for it. Let the poor, afflicted, persecuted, or tempted believer recollect, that Satan is the prince of this world, and that he is the father of all the ungodly. The children of God cannot expect kindness, truth, or justice from such persons as crucified the Lord of glory. But this once suffering Jesus, now reigns as King over all the earth, and of his dominion there shall be no end. Let us commit ourselves unto him, humbly trusting in his mercy. He will rescue the believer from every temptation, and break the arm of every wicked oppressor, and bruise Satan under our feet shortly. But in heaven alone will all sin and temptation be shut out, though in this life the believer has a foretaste of deliverance.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 16:1
Commentary on Proverbs 16:1
(Read Proverbs 16:1)
The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good.