Bible Strands
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A sage addresses a student in the instructional wisdom tradition; no narrative scene, no named audience.
The words — יָכִ֥ין (yakhin, "he directs, prepares") carries the divine action with forceful intention, and צַעֲדָיו (tza'adav, "his steps") grounds the outcome in concrete physical movement rather than abstract fate.
The thread — Proverbs 19:21 repeats the pattern (many plans vs. the LORD's purpose prevailing), Psalms 37:23 uses the same "steps" language, and Proverbs 16:1 applies the identical structure to speech.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to stop treating personal planning as the final word while also not dismissing planning as futile; the verse holds both the reality of human intention and the reality of divine direction without resolving the tension into comfort.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Psalms 37:23 The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.
- Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
- Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
- Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’