Proverbs Sixteen
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
clean in his own eyes. See note on Proverbs 21:2.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
for himself. This is the best answer that can be given to the age-long question about God's purpose in creation. There is even a purpose in His ordaining a day of judgment for which the wicked were made, thereby eliciting yet greater love and thanksgiving in the hearts of the redeemed.
Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
just weight and balance. Note that Biblical morality involves honest commercial transactions as well as personal holiness.
Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride. Pride was the primeval sin of Satan before his fall (1 Timothy 3:6). Note 1 Corinthians 10:12.
an haughty spirit. This is the middle verse of the book of Proverbs, and surely presents a vital truth. Although the sin of pride is not named as such in the Ten Commandments, it is implied in the very first (“no other gods before me”).
Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
ways of death. See the same verse in Proverbs 14:12. This is an important truth.
Proverbs 16:26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 16:29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
Proverbs 16:31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
The lot is cast. It is interesting that the Lord has apparently sanctioned the casting of lots on occasion as a means by which He could reveal His will in important decisions. However, such procedures have never been directly authorized by Him. The main New Testament example was the matter of selecting a new apostle to take the place of Judas, and it is at least important to note that the lots were cast only after prayer (Acts 1:23-26). It is at least doubtful whether this procedure should ever be followed today, now that we have the complete Bible.