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A person[a] plans his course,[b]
but the Lord directs[c] his steps.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:9 tn Heb “the mind of a man.” The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) represents the person in this case (a synecdoche of a part for the whole) but highlights that faculty most relevant to the verb for planning.
  2. Proverbs 16:9 tn Heb “his way” (so KJV, NASB).
  3. Proverbs 16:9 tn The verb כּוּן (kun, “to establish; to confirm”) with צַעַד (tsaʿad, “step”) means “to direct” (e.g., Ps 119:133; Jer 10:23). This contrasts what people plan and what actually happens—God determines the latter.
  4. Proverbs 16:9 sn “Steps” is an implied comparison, along with “way,” to indicate the events of the plan as they work out.

In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.(A)

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