Proverbs 21:1–3

PROVERBS CHAPTER 21.

V. 1. The king’s heart is In the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water, the thoughts and plans of the mightiest rulers, sovereign as they may seem, are like ditches and canals in which men lead water where they desire; He turneth it whithersoever He will; no matter what the mighty may fatuously ascribe to themselves in the way of absolute authority, there is One whose government directs even their actions in agreement with His will.

V. 2. Every way of a man Is right in his own eyes, he is inclined to self-satisfaction, which may lead him astray; but the Lord pondereth the hearts, He weighs them and thus determines the direction which their plans should take. Compare chapter 16, 2.

V. 3. To do justice and judgment, to exercise the principles of righteousness and justice in all our dealings, is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice, for all outward acts of worship are hollow sham without true piety of the heart.