As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not
sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that
is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with
the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do,
Phil. ii. 13; Ps. x. 17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of
the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but
the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed
to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, is of
the Lord. That is, in short, 1. Man purposes. He has a freedom of
thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects,
and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 2. God
disposes. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and
blessing of God, who made man's mouth and teaches us what we shall say.
Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men's purposes, and break
their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam's heart, but
the answer of the tongue was a blessing.