◄ Proverbs 5:21 ►
For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.
Study Bible
For a man’s ways
The phrase "a man’s ways" refers to the conduct, behavior, and lifestyle choices of an individual. In Hebrew, the word for "ways" is "derek," which implies a road, journey, or manner of life. This suggests that every aspect of a person's life, including their decisions and actions, is under consideration. Theologically, this emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's awareness and concern for human conduct, underscoring the importance of living a life aligned with divine principles.

are before the eyes of the LORD
The "eyes of the LORD" is a metaphorical expression indicating God's omniscience and omnipresence. In Hebrew, "eyes" (ayin) often symbolize perception and insight. This phrase assures believers that nothing escapes God's notice. Historically, this understanding would have been comforting and sobering to the Israelites, reminding them of God's constant vigilance and care. It serves as a call to integrity, knowing that God sees beyond outward appearances to the heart's true intentions.

and the LORD examines
The word "examines" comes from the Hebrew "palas," meaning to weigh or measure. This conveys the idea of God not only observing but also evaluating and discerning the moral quality of a person's actions. In a conservative Christian context, this highlights the belief in a just and righteous God who holds individuals accountable. It encourages believers to live righteously, knowing that their actions are subject to divine scrutiny.

all his paths
The term "paths" (orach in Hebrew) refers to the various courses or directions a person might take in life. It implies the choices and decisions that define one's journey. The use of "all" emphasizes the totality of God's examination, leaving no aspect of life unconsidered. This comprehensive oversight assures believers that God is intimately involved in every detail of their lives, guiding and directing them according to His will. It serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance in all decisions, trusting in His wisdom and understanding.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and omniscience. In this verse, the LORD is portrayed as the all-seeing and all-knowing God who observes human actions.

2. A Man
Represents humanity in general. The verse speaks to every individual, highlighting personal accountability before God.

3. Paths/Ways
Symbolic of the choices and actions a person takes in life. The verse underscores that these are under divine scrutiny.
Teaching Points
God's Omniscience
Recognize that God sees and knows everything about our lives. This awareness should lead us to live with integrity and accountability.

Personal Accountability
Understand that our actions are not hidden from God. This should encourage us to make choices that honor Him.

The Importance of Righteous Living
Since God examines all our paths, we should strive to walk in righteousness and avoid paths that lead to sin.

Encouragement in God's Watchfulness
God's constant watch over us is not only for judgment but also for guidance and protection. Trust in His oversight as a source of comfort.

Reflecting on Our Paths
Regularly evaluate the paths you are taking in life. Are they aligned with God's will and purpose for you?
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding that "a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD" influence your daily decisions and actions?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your life, similar to the themes found in Psalm 139?

3. How does the knowledge that God examines all your paths encourage you to pursue righteousness?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt comforted by the fact that God sees and knows your situation. How did this impact your faith?

5. Considering Jeremiah 16:17, how can you ensure that your paths align with God's will, and what steps can you take to correct any misalignments?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 139
This Psalm echoes the theme of God's omniscience and omnipresence, emphasizing that God knows our thoughts and actions intimately.

Hebrews 4:13
This verse reinforces the idea that nothing is hidden from God's sight, and everything is uncovered and laid bare before Him.

Jeremiah 16:17
Similar to Proverbs 5:21, this verse speaks of God's eyes being on all our ways, indicating that nothing is hidden from Him.
Sermons
God the All-Seeing JudgeE. Johnson Proverbs 5:21
Man in God's ViewW. Clarkson Proverbs 5:21
Man's Ways Before GodW. L. Watkinson.Proverbs 5:21
The Method of Providence for Restraining EvilW. Arnot, D. D.Proverbs 5:21
Fidelity and Bliss in MarriageE. Johnson Proverbs 5:15-21
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Examines, Full, Goings, Level, Maketh, Man's, Over-against, Paths, Pondereth, Pondering, Puts, Scales, View, Watches
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 5:21

     1310   God, as judge
     5003   human race, and God
     8478   self-examination

Proverbs 5:1-23

     5276   crime
     5481   proverb

Proverbs 5:18-23

     5468   promises, human

Proverbs 5:20-21

     8821   self-indulgence

Proverbs 5:21-23

     9023   death, unbelievers

Library
The Cords of Sin
'His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.'--PROVERBS v. 22. In Hosea's tender picture of the divine training of Israel which, alas! failed of its effect, we read, 'I drew them with cords of a man,' which is further explained as being 'with bands of love.' The metaphor in the prophet's mind is probably that of a child being 'taught to go' and upheld in its first tottering steps by leading-strings. God drew Israel, though Israel did not yield …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Last Things
A sermon (No. 667) delivered on Sunday morning, December 31, 1865 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "At the last."--Proverbs 5:11. The wise man saw the young and simple straying into the house of the strange woman. The house seemed so completely different from what he knew it to be that he desired to shed a light upon it, that the young man might not sin in the dark, but might understand the nature of his deeds. The wise man looked abroad and he saw but one lamp suitable …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
A Sermon (No. 915) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 13th, 1870 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins." -- Proverbs 5:22. The first sentence has reference to a net in which birds or beasts are taken. The ungodly man first of all finds sin to be a bait, and charmed by its apparent pleasantness he indulges in it and then he becomes entangled in its meshes so that he cannot …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
The first sentence of the text also may have reference to an arrest by an officer of law. The transgressor's own sins shall take him, shall seize him; they bear a warrant for arresting him, they shall judge him, they shall even execute him. Sin, which at the first bringeth to man a specious pleasure, ere long turneth into bitterness, remorse, and fear. Sin is a dragon, with eyes like stars, but it carrieth a deadly sting in its tail. The cup of sin, with rainbow bubbles on its brim, is black with …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 16: 1870

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

"The Truth. " Some Generals Proposed.
That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this noble piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more clearly understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some generals, and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ is called the Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are to make use of Christ as the Truth. As to the first. There are four general things here to be noticed. 1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are all …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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