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Proverbs 16 · a question people ask

"Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed" (16:3). Does that mean every plan I give to the LORD will work out?

In the text

The verse says where the deeds go, "to the LORD", and what follows: "your plans shall succeed" (16:3). Commit is galal, a verb Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "roll, roll away" (tap Commit). Shall succeed is kun, the verb of directs in "A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps" (16:9) (tap directs). The chapter sets other sayings right beside it. "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD" (16:1). And later in the book: "There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail" (Proverbs 19:21). Christians differ over how far sayings like this one are promises; "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6) is another. These notes quote 16:3 as it stands, and don't make it a guarantee the text doesn't state, or explain it away.

The verses

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
Proverbs 16:1 · World English Bible
“Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 · World English Bible
“A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 · World English Bible
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16: The LORD directs his steps

In Hebrew the verb of "the LORD directs his steps" (16:9) is the verb of "your plans shall succeed" (16:3) and "the throne is established" (16:12). And "iniquity is atoned for" (16:6) and "a wise man will pacify it" (16:14) are one verb, kafar.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions