Proverbs 12:5

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Proverbs 12:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:5

The thoughts of the righteous [are] right
Or "judgment" {o}. The thoughts of men's hearts are naturally evil, nor can any think a good thought of themselves; but the thoughts of the righteous are directed and influenced by the grace of God, and are formed according to that Word which is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; their thoughts concerning God and religion, concerning Christ and his Gospel, his ways and worship, his truths and ordinances, they are judiciously framed according to the rule of God's word, the revelation he has made, and so are right; and such are their resolutions and designs to serve the Lord their God, and him only, and to cleave to him with full purpose of heart [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit;
the designs, schemes, and contrivances of wicked men, are to trick, and overreach, and defraud their neighbours in civil affairs; and of false teachers, to deceive the hearts of the simple in religious ones. The coming of the man of sin was with all deceivableness; and all the gaudy show and pageantry he makes, and pretended miracles he works, are to deceive the inhabitants of the earth; and by his sorceries all nations are deceived, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ) ( Revelation 13:14 ) ( 18:23 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (jpvm) "judicium", Pagninns, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus.

Proverbs 12:5 In-Context

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are a lying-in-wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are no [more]; but the house of the righteous shall stand.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit. '[just] judgment.'
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.