Proverbs 21:2

2 ¹Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ²weighs the heart.

Proverbs 21:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:2

Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes
This is repeated, from ( Proverbs 16:2 Proverbs 16:25 ) ; for the confirmation of it; and that it might be observed and taken notice of, and men be brought under a conviction of it; which is not easily done, it being what affects all men: every man is conceited of himself and his own way, and is not easily persuaded off of it; his sinful ways are agreeable to him promising him pleasure, profit, or honour; and his self-righteous ways suit with the vain opinion he has of himself, whereby he promises himself eternal life and happiness. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it to this sense,

``every man seems righteous to himself;''

but the Lord pondereth the hearts:
weighs them in the balance of righteousness and truth; considers them, having a perfect knowledge of them, and all the springs of action in them; and knows that every way of man is not right, though they may seem so to him.

Proverbs 21:2 In-Context

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Cross References

• 1. 21:2 ch. 16:2; [ch. 12:15]
• 2. 21:2 ch. 24:12; [Luke 16:15; 1 Cor. 4:4]; See 1 Sam. 16:7