1 The king's heart (= mind, intellect) is in the hand of the LORD, as the division of water in a garden [are in the hand of the gardener]: (The name given to irrigation channels which divide up an Eastern [walled] garden for purposes of irrigation. See Ps. 1:3)
He turns it wheresoever He will. (I.e Yahaveh directs [the king's heart] wheresoever he will [as a gardener directs the water with his foot] [Deut. 11:10], not needing or deigning to use a tool; so easily is it done. Illustrations: Ahab [1 Kings 18:10. Cp. v.40]; Ahasuerus [Est. 6:1]; Sennacherib [2 Kings 19:27,28, and Isa. 10:5-7]; Nebuchadnezzar [Ezek. 29;16. Jer. 43:10-12; the Judeans [Jer. 32:28. 2 Kings 24:3]; Cyrus Ezra 1;1. Isa. 45:1]; Darius [Ezra 6:22]; Augustus [Luke 2:1-7. Cp. Mic. 5:2]. We are to be watchmen; however, for us to worry about problems in the world is a waste of time. God is in control. To worry is to doubt He is in control.)
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: (Every thing we do in the flesh is good in the flesh's eyes)
But the LORD ponders the hearts. (weighs, balances, measures, appraises, and equalizes. See Ps. 75. He measures our works. Don't be in a hurry when you make decisions. Use you're spiritual eyes. WWJD = What would Jesus do.)
3 To do righteousness and judgment (See Dan. 4:34.)
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (That is heavy! God would rather have you do right than offer sacrifices to Him. Cp. Saul [1 Sam. 13:10-13; 15:22]. Israel [Jer. 7:22,23. Amos 5:21-24]; Judah [Isa. 1:11-17]; Pharisees [Matt. 9:13])
4 A lofty look, and a proud heart
[Which is] the tillage of lawless ones, [is more acceptable to them than] the sin offering.
5 The reckonings (or calculatings) of a diligent one tend only to plenteousness;
But of every one that is hasty only to want. (Excessive haste makes waste. The plowing, or work, f the wicked is sin. Remember, God equalizes and arranges. The wicked that lie in wait to rip someone off will get what they deserve from God. Blessings or cursings, the choice is yours.)
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The rapacity of the wicked shall destroy them; (The wicked destroy themselves. They refuse to do that which is right. You can always count on God to do right, and He is in control. There are many examples in the Bible which document God changes minds. Illustrations: the princes of Judah [Isa. 1:23,24]; Judeans [Jer. 7:9-11,15; 34:10-22. Mic. 3:9-12]. Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel 4:34-37].)
Because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man laden with guilt is unsteady:
But as for the upright, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,
Than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of a lawless one desires evil:
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise:
And when the wise is corrected, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked:
But God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stops his ears at the cry of the weak,
He also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered. (Illustrations: Judeans [Zech. 7:9-14. Jer. 34:10-22]; Parable [Matt. 18:30-34].)
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger:
And a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to a just one to do judgment:
But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wanders out of the way of understanding
Shall remain in the assembly of the Rephaim. (Who have no resurrection. See Isa. 26;14,19)
17 He that loves pleasure shall be a destitute man:
He that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for a righteous one,
And the traitor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than [in a house] with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish (= fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety) man swallows it up.
21 He that follows after righteousness and grace (or loving-kindness)
Find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scale the city of the mighty,
And casts down the strength of the confidence thereof. (Illustrations: Joshua [Josh. 6:3-21; 8:4-8]; wise woman [2 Sam. 20:16-22. Cp. Ecc. 9:13-15].)
23 Whoso guards his mouth and his tongue
Keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name,
Who deals in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him;
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all the day long:
But the righteous gives and spares not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination:
How much more, when he bring it with a wicked purpose?
28 A false witness shall perish: (Illustrations: Pashur [Jer. 20:4-6]; Hananiah [Jer. 28:1-4, 10-17]; the false prophets [Jer. 29:21]; Shemaiah [Jer. 29:31,32]; Amaziah [Amos 7:10-17].)
But the man that hears speaks [the truth] evermore.
29 A wicked man hardens his face:
But as for the upright, he directs his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against the LORD. (Illustrations: Pharaoh Ex. 1:10]; Balak [Num. 24;16]; Ahaziah [2 Kings 1:9-17]; Sennacherib [2 Chron. 32:21; Isa. 30:31]; Haman [Est. 5:11-13; 7:10].)
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle:
But to Yehovah [belongs] the salvation.