Proverbs 19:21

21 Many thoughts there be in the heart of a man; but the will of the Lord shall dwell. (There be many plans in a person's heart; but the Lord's purpose shall stand, yea, it shall prevail.)

Proverbs 19:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:21

[There are] many devices in a man's heart
Some about civil things; to get wealth and riches: to obtain honour and glory among men; to attain to a long life, and to perpetuate their memories after death: some about sinful things; to gratify their carnal lusts and sensual appetites; and to do mischief to others, particularly the people of God, and the cause and interest of Christ: some about religious things; coming new doctrines, devising new ordinances and modes of worship; contriving other methods of salvation than by Christ; as by the light of nature; by the law of Moses; by mere morality, civility, and external justice between man and man; by keeping to the religion they were born and brought up in; and by a mere outward profession of religion, and submission to ordinances, and performance of duties, and a multitude more of the like kind; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand;
and can never be frustrated by the devices of man's heart, though there are many, and that but one; see ( Psalms 33:10 Psalms 33:11 ) ( Isaiah 46:10 ) . This may be applied to the Gospel, and the scheme of salvation in it, called the whole counsel of God, ( Acts 20:27 ) ; it being the fruit of infinite wisdom, and the effect of a divine council between the eternal Three, and full of the best advice and instructions to the sons of men; and which has stood, and shall stand, notwithstanding the persecutions of wicked men, the craft of false teachers, and the ridicule of a profane world; it will continue till all the elect are gathered in, even, to the end of the world; and so will the ordinances of it, which are also called the counsel of God, ( Luke 7:30 ) ; and which will continue till the second coming of Christ. Moreover, the purposes of God, his counsels of old, or his eternal decrees, may be here meant; which are wisely formed in his own breast, and are not frustrable; and according to which counsel of his will all things are done in nature, providence, and grace; all things in this world are ordered as he pleases, and all things are done as he has ordered them; all his purposes are or will be fulfilled; his designs will be accomplished in the world and in his church, in spite of all the schemes, contrivances, and opposition of men and devils.

Proverbs 19:21 In-Context

19 Forsooth he that is unpatient, shall suffer harm; and when he hath ravished (one thing), he shall lay to another thing. (He who is ill-tempered, shall suffer harm; thou shalt help him once, and then thou shalt need to help him again, and again.)

20 Hear thou counsel, and take thou doctrine; that thou be wise in thy last things. (Listen thou to advice, and receive thou teaching, or instruction; so that thou shalt be wise until thy last breath.)

21 Many thoughts there be in the heart of a man; but the will of the Lord shall dwell. (There be many plans in a person's heart; but the Lord's purpose shall stand, yea, it shall prevail.)

22 A needy man is merciful; and better is a poor (but) just man, than a man (who is a) liar. (A person in need is merciful; and it is better to be poor but righteous, than to be a liar.)

23 Dread of the Lord leadeth to life; and he that dreadeth God shall dwell in plenty, without visiting of the worst/without full evil visiting. (Fear of the Lord leadeth to life; and he who feareth God shall live amidst plenty, without the visiting of the adversary./Reverence for the Lord leadeth to life; and he who revereth God shall live amidst plenty, without the assailing of great evil.)