Proverbs 16:3

3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.

Proverbs 16:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the Lord
Natural, civil, or religious; seek to him for strength and assistance in all, and leave the success of all with him: or "roll thy works on" or "unto the Lord" {b}; devolve all upon him, cast all care upon him and his providence for supply, support, and sustenance in life; and commit the business of the salvation of thy soul, and the important affairs of it, wholly to him, who is able, willing, and faithful, to keep what is committed to him; and, having so done, may sit down easy and satisfied, as one that is rid of a burden by casting it on another, better able to bear it, or more equal to the work committed to him: the Targum is, "reveal thy works to God"; and so the Syriac and Vulgate Latin versions, "reveal thy works to the Lord"; thy case, condition, and circumstances; thy wants and necessities; seek and ask for a supply of him, make known thy requests to him; for though he is not ignorant of the affairs of his people, yet he will be sought unto to do the things for them he intends to do, and they stand in need of; and thy thoughts shall be established;
when a man has, by faith and in prayer, committed himself, his case, his ways and works, to the Lord, his mind is made easy, his thoughts are composed and settled, and he quietly waits the issues of things; he says, the will of the Lord be done; he knows that he causes all things to work together for good; and whatever is for his good and God's glory shall be brought to pass; and this makes him calm, sedate, and easy; and he is in a fair way of having his designs, desires, and endeavours accomplished; see ( Psalms 37:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (Kyvem hwhy la lg) "devolve in Jehovam facta tua", Junius & Tremellius; "negotia tua", Piscator; "volve in Dominum quae tibi facieuda sunt", Michaelis; "volve ad Jehovam opera tua", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius; so Mercerus, Gejerus, Schultens, Tigurine version.

Proverbs 16:3 In-Context

1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.

2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.

3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.

4 God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included - but for judgment.

5 God can't stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place.