The {a} preparations of the heart belong to man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the LORD.

(a) He derides the presumption of man, who dares to attribute anything to himself, as to prepare his heart or such like, seeing that he is not able to speak a word unless God gives it to him.

Wesley's Notes

16:1 From the Lord - Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well without Divine assistance.

King James Translators' Notes

preparations: or, disposings

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 16

Pr 16:1-33.

1. preparations-schemes.

in man-or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.

the answer . Lord-The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. 2. Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. 3. Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Chapter 16

Verse 1

As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phil. 2:13; Ps. 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of the Lord. That is, in short, 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 1. God disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who made man's mouth and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men's purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam's heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing.