Proverbs 21:2

Pro 21:2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Ver. 2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.] {See Trapp on "Pro 16:2"} Such is our sinful self-love, that, Suffenus-like, we easily admire that little nothing of any good that is in us; we so clasp and hug the barn of our own brain, with the ape, that we strangle it; we set up a counter for a thousand pounds, and boast of those graces whereunto we are perfect strangers. We turn the perspective telescope, and gladly see ourselves larger, others smaller than they are: we flatter our own souls as Micah did his. {Jdg 17:13} Wherein it often happens as it did with the riflers of Semiramis’ tomb, who, where they expected to find the richest treasure, met with a deadly poison. Seem we never so just, because first in our own cause, God - as Solomon saith of a man’s neighhour - comes and searches us, and then things appear otherwise. {Luk 16:15}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 21:2-3. Every way of a man, &c. — See on Pro 16:2, where this same thing was declared. To do justice and judgment — The conscientious performance of all our duties to men; is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice — Than the most costly outward services offered to God, joined with the neglect of religious and moral duties to God or men: see 1Sa 15:22; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:7-8.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The next group extends from Pro 21:2 to Pro 21:8, where it closes as it began.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;

But a weigher of hearts is Jahve.

A proverb similar to Pro 16:2 (where דּרכי, for דּרך, זך for ישׁר, רוּחות for לבּות). God is also, Pro 17:3, called a trier, בּחן, of hearts, as He is here called a weigher, תּכן. The proverb indirectly admonishes us of the duty of constant self-examination, according to the objective norm of the revealed will of God, and warns us against the self-complacency of the fool, of whom Pro 12:15 says (as Trimberg in "Renner"): "all fools live in the pleasant feeling that their life is the best," and against the self-deception which walks in the way of death and dreams of walking in the way of life, Pro 14:12 (Pro 16:25).

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

21:2 This proverb is repeated almost verbatim in 16:2.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves and our own actions, and to think too favourably of our own character, as if there was nothing amiss in it: Every way of a man, even his by-way, is right in his own eyes. The proud heart is very ingenious in putting a fair face upon a foul matter, and in making that appear right to itself which is far from being so, to stop the mouth of conscience. 2. We are sure that the judgment of God concerning us is according to truth. Whatever our judgment is concerning ourselves, the Lord ponders the heart. God looks at the heart, and judges of men according to that, of their actions according to their principles and intentions; and his judgment of that is as exact as ours is of that which we ponder most, and more so; he weighs it in an unerring balance, Pro 16:2.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(Compare Pro 14:2; Pro. 16:2-25).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 2. The Lord pondereth the hearts.] Every man feels strongly attached to his own opinions, modes of acting, c. and though he will not easily give up any thing to the judgment of a neighbour, whom he will naturally consider at least as fallible as himself, yet he should consider that the unerring eye of God is upon him; and he should endeavour to see that what he does is acceptable in the eye of his Maker and Judge.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(2) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes.—See above, on Pro_16:2.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. Repeated almost exactly from Pro_16:2.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,.... This is repeated, from Pro 16:2; for the confirmation of it; and that it might be observed and taken notice of, and men be brought under a conviction of it; which is not easily done, it being what affects all men: every man is conceited of himself and his own way, and is not easily persuaded off of it; his sinful ways are agreeable to him promising him pleasure, profit, or honour; and his self-righteous ways suit with the vain opinion he has of himself, whereby he promises himself eternal life and happiness. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it to this sense,

"every man seems righteous to himself;''

but the Lord pondereth the hearts: weighs them in the balance of righteousness and truth; considers them, having a perfect knowledge of them, and all the springs of action in them; and knows that every way of man is not right, though they may seem so to him.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

This was said Pro 16:2, where it is explained, and is here repeated, either for the great importance and usefulness of it, or because he perceived that the Israelites were very prone to self-deceit.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Pondereth — Weighs or proves.

The hearts — Compare Pro_14:12; Pro_16:2; Pro_16:25. “The trier of hearts is Jehovah.” — Conant.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

This is similar to Pro_16:2. (where see note. Comp. also Pro_14:12 Pro_16:25 Pro_20:24) See here a warning against self-deception and that silly self-complacency which thinks its own ways the best. Septuagint, "Every man appears to himself righteous, but the Lord directs the hearts.

See homily on Pro_16:2. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Let me be thankful for the repetition (Pro 16:2 ) of this weighty Proverb; most valuable for the close probing of my heart, and the testing of the vital spirituality of my profession. So "deceitful is the heart above all things" (Jer 17:9 ), that it deceives, not others only, but — what even Satan never does — itself. Every intelligent Christian bears painful witness to this self-deception. How differently do we judge of the same action in others, and in ourselves! Often do we palliate, if not justify, in ourselves the very habits, which we condemn in others. Never therefore is the prayer out of season — "Search me, O God; know me, try me; shew me to myself." (Psa 139:23 .) There are no persons in the world, about whom we make so many mistakes as ourselves. But, Oh! to be approved of God in heart, and in sincerity, is no common mercy!

Hid as the self-deluded professor is from himself, his way is right in his own eyes. But is it right in God’s eyes? The LORD pondereth the heart. Solemn and awakening recollection! He thoroughly reads every heart. And what defilement does he see in those ways of a man that are most right in his own eyes! Saul thought that he was serving God acceptably. But the all-searching eye discovered pride, covetousness, disobedient rejection of his God.†1 What more self-satisfying than the soul’s strict fast and humiliation? But the defective motive marred the sacrifice. "Did ye at all fast to me, even to me?"†2 Little did the self-complacent ruler suspect the spiritual pride, false confidence, and worldliness, which this heart-searching God brought to view.†3 And how much base alloy is hidden even in a sound-hearted profession! The disciples covered their own spirit under the pretense of vehement zeal for their Master. (Luk 9:54-55 .) The LORD pondereth the heart. He "weigheth the spirits" (Pro 16:2 ); proving exactly what is of himself, and what is of a baser kind; what, and how much, there is of God, what of man. The principles of the heart lie deep. The work may be good in itself. But what are the ends? The same work, according to its end, may be accepted, or be cast away. Jehonadab and Jehu both were engaged in the same exterminating work. With the one it was right service; with the other, vile hypocrisy. (2Ki 10:15 .) Self-distrust is therefore the wisdom of true godliness (Pro 28:26 ); daily, hourly, trembling in ourselves; yet boldly grounding our confidence in God! But for the covering of the High Priest, how could we stand for one moment under the piercing eye of our Judge? Did our dearest earthly friend know what was passing in our thoughts at any one hour, could he ever deem us worthy of confidence? Must not his heart revolt from contact with such vileness? Yet does our gracious LORD, while pondering our hearts, and privy to all their hidden corruptions, forgive, accept, yea — rejoice in us as his people.

Footnotes:

†1 1Sa 15:13-26 .

†2 Zec 7:6. Isa 58:5 . Jer 2:35 .

†3 Mat 19:21.

Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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. cf Pro 16:2.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Man’s every way is straight in his own eyes, but the Lord counts Heb. ותכן.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.