Proverbs 16:3

KJV

¶ Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

KJV (with Strong's)

Commit {H1556} thy works {H4639} unto the LORD {H3068}, and thy thoughts {H4284} shall be established {H3559}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If you entrust all you do to ADONAI, your plans will achieve success.

Berean Standard Bible

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

American Standard Version

Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 16:3 offers a profound principle for navigating life's endeavors, urging believers to entrust their plans and actions completely to the Lord. It promises that when human effort is surrendered to divine sovereignty, one's intentions, purposes, and even the very direction of their life will be firmly established and brought to fruition according to God's perfect will. This verse highlights the essential interplay between human responsibility and divine guidance, fostering a life of peace, purpose, and spiritual stability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 16:3 is strategically placed within a larger section of Proverbs (chapters 16-19) that frequently explores the tension and harmony between human planning and God's ultimate sovereignty. The chapter opens with a declaration of God's overarching control, stating that "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD" ([Proverbs 16:1](/proverbs/16-1 "Proverbs 16:1 - God's Sovereignty Over Plans")). This immediately sets the stage for verse 3, which provides a practical directive for how individuals should respond to this divine reality. Subsequent verses reinforce this theme, particularly [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps"), which states, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps," and [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lord Casts the Lot"), emphasizing God's control even over seemingly random events. Proverbs 16:3, therefore, serves as a foundational instruction, showing how to align one's personal will with God's sovereign will, leading to established and fruitful outcomes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs belongs to the genre of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, which sought to impart practical and moral guidance for living a successful and righteous life. In ancient Israel, wisdom was not merely intellectual acumen but the skill of living well in accordance with God's created order and covenantal relationship. The cultural understanding of God (Yahweh) was that of the supreme Creator and Sustainer, actively involved in the affairs of humanity. Unlike pagan deities who might be appeased or manipulated, Yahweh's will was seen as ultimate and unchangeable. Therefore, the concept of "committing" one's works to the Lord would have resonated deeply within a society that understood divine authority as absolute. It was an acknowledgment that true prosperity and stability came not from human ingenuity alone, but from aligning oneself with the divine plan, trusting in the God who orchestrates all things, from the grandest historical events to the most personal daily decisions.

* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 16:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs and biblical wisdom literature. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting that God's ultimate control extends to all human endeavors, even our innermost thoughts and plans. This is balanced by the theme of **Human Responsibility and Trust**, as the verse calls for an active "committing" or surrendering of one's actions, demonstrating a conscious reliance on God rather than self-sufficiency. It also speaks to the theme of **Godly Prudence and Planning**, emphasizing that while humans are to plan and work diligently, their efforts are most effective and stable when submitted to divine wisdom. The promised outcome, "thy thoughts shall be established," highlights the theme of **Divine Establishment and Purpose**, implying that true success, clarity, and lasting impact come from aligning our intentions with God's will. This concept is echoed in other wisdom passages, such as [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart"), which encourages trusting in the Lord with all one's heart and acknowledging Him in all ways for directed paths.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commit (Hebrew, _gâlal'_):** This primitive root (H1556) literally means "to roll." The imagery is vivid and powerful, suggesting the act of rolling a burden or responsibility off oneself and onto another. In this context, it implies casting, entrusting, or surrendering one's "works" (actions, plans, endeavors) completely onto the Lord. It's not merely asking for a blessing, but a full transfer of reliance and trust, much like rolling a heavy stone away or rolling a burden onto a stronger carrier. This verb emphasizes a deliberate act of faith and relinquishment of control.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God (H3068), often transliterated as Jehovah. It signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal One." The use of this specific name underscores that the commitment is made not to a generic deity or abstract force, but to the personal, sovereign, and unchanging God of Israel, who is faithful to His covenant and actively involved in the lives of His people. It highlights the relational aspect of this command: we commit our works to the One who is utterly trustworthy and all-powerful.
* **established (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** This root (H3559) carries a rich semantic range, primarily meaning "to be erect" or "to stand perpendicular." Causatively, it means "to set up," "fix," "prepare," or "render sure, proper, or prosperous." When applied to "thoughts" (plans, intentions), it signifies that they will be made firm, stable, secure, confirmed, and ultimately brought to a successful and proper conclusion. This establishment implies divine approval, guidance, and the provision of necessary resources or circumstances to bring the plans to fruition in a way that aligns with God's perfect will, ensuring their lasting impact and true success.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Commit thy works unto the LORD,"**: This is an imperative command, urging the individual to actively and intentionally surrender their actions, projects, and all their endeavors to God. The term "works" (H4639, _maʻăseh_) encompasses not just physical labor but all purposeful activity, plans, and outcomes. The phrase "unto the LORD" specifies the recipient of this commitment, emphasizing that it is a relational act of trust directed towards the sovereign God. This clause calls for a posture of humility and dependence, acknowledging God's ultimate authority over all human enterprise.
* **"and thy thoughts shall be established."**: This is the promised outcome or consequence of the preceding command. "Thoughts" (H4284, _machăshâbâh_) refers to intentions, plans, purposes, and designs. The verb "shall be established" (H3559, _kûwn_) indicates that these plans will be made firm, secure, stable, and brought to a successful and lasting conclusion. This does not necessarily mean that every specific detail of a human plan will unfold exactly as conceived, but rather that the underlying purpose and direction of one's life and efforts, when submitted to God, will find divine confirmation, stability, and ultimate fulfillment in alignment with His perfect will. It speaks to a divine seal of approval and guidance that ensures true and lasting success.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 16:3 employs several literary devices to convey its profound truth. The verse begins with an **Imperative** ("Commit"), directly commanding the reader to take a specific action, underscoring the active role required in surrendering to God. There is an implied **Metaphor** in the Hebrew word for "commit" (_gâlal_), which literally means "to roll." This vivid imagery suggests rolling a burden or a heavy object off oneself and onto another, powerfully conveying the act of transferring responsibility and trust. The verse also exhibits clear **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. The command to "Commit thy works unto the LORD" is directly followed by its consequence, "and thy thoughts shall be established," illustrating a cause-and-effect relationship. This structure highlights the direct link between human submission and divine confirmation, emphasizing that the stability and success of one's plans are a direct result of entrusting them to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 16:3 stands as a cornerstone verse for understanding the biblical tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It teaches that while humans are created with the capacity to plan and act, true wisdom and lasting success are found not in self-reliance, but in acknowledging and submitting to God's ultimate control. This verse underscores the theological truth that God is actively involved in the details of our lives, and when we intentionally align our will with His, our endeavors gain divine blessing and stability. It is a call to faith, inviting us to release the anxiety of control and trust that the Almighty God will direct and establish our paths, even when the specific outcomes are unforeseen. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, reminding us that our best-laid plans are only truly fruitful when they are laid before the Lord, acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways.

* [Psalm 37:5](/psalms/37-5 "Psalm 37:5 - Commit Your Way to the Lord")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")
* [James 4:13-15](/james/4-13 "James 4:13-15 - Boasting About Tomorrow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 16:3 provides timeless wisdom for every aspect of life, from daily tasks to long-term aspirations. In a world that often champions self-reliance and meticulous planning, this verse offers a counter-cultural call to surrender. It encourages us to approach every endeavor, every decision, and every dream with a posture of prayerful submission to God. This isn't an invitation to passivity, but to active, diligent work that is constantly brought before the Lord. By "rolling" our works onto Him, we release the burden of needing to control every outcome, finding peace and clarity in the knowledge that our efforts are guided by an all-wise and all-powerful God. This practice cultivates a deeper trust in His providence, transforming anxiety into assurance and self-driven ambition into Spirit-led purpose, ensuring that our lives are built on an unshakeable foundation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does truly "committing" your works to the Lord differ from simply asking for His blessing on your own plans?**
* **What specific "works" or "thoughts" in your life do you need to surrender more fully to God's direction right now?**
* **In what ways have you personally experienced the "establishment" of your thoughts or plans when you have trusted God with your endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Question?**
Does "Commit thy works unto the LORD" mean I should be passive and not plan for the future?

Answer: No, this verse does not advocate for passivity or a lack of planning. Instead, it calls for a specific *kind* of planning and action: one that is rooted in dependence on God. The book of Proverbs itself encourages diligence, foresight, and wise decision-making (e.g., [Proverbs 21:5](/proverbs/21-5 "Proverbs 21:5 - Diligence Leads to Profit")). Proverbs 16:3 teaches that while humans make plans, the ultimate direction and establishment of those plans come from God. It's about bringing your active efforts and intentions before the Lord, seeking His guidance and surrendering the outcome to His will. This ensures that your work is not in vain, but aligns with His divine purpose, leading to true and lasting stability, as [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps") further clarifies, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

**Question?**
Does "thy thoughts shall be established" guarantee that God will always grant my specific desires or make my plans succeed exactly as I envision them?

Answer: Not necessarily in the way we might initially conceive. The "establishment" promised here refers to the divine confirmation and stability of one's *purposes* and *intentions* when they are aligned with God's will, not a guarantee that every personal desire will be fulfilled precisely as planned. God's establishment means that our efforts will ultimately bear fruit in a way that honors Him and serves His greater purposes, even if the path or the specific outcome differs from our original blueprint. It implies that our plans will be made firm and secure *in Him*, leading to true and lasting success from His perspective. This aligns with the broader biblical truth that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good for Those Who Love Him")). Therefore, "established" means divinely ordered, purposeful, and ultimately successful in God's economy, even if it requires a re-shaping of our initial "thoughts."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 16:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He perfectly embodied the principle of committing His works and thoughts unto the LORD. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently declared that He did nothing on His own initiative but only what He saw the Father doing ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus Does What He Sees the Father Doing")) and that His food was to do the will of Him who sent Him ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do the Will of the Father")). His entire life was a seamless act of surrender, culminating in the Garden of Gethsemane where He prayed, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luc/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Because Jesus perfectly committed every "work" and "thought" to the Father, His mission—the redemption of humanity through His crucifixion and resurrection—was perfectly "established" by God, fulfilling the divine plan from eternity past. For believers, this verse becomes a call to live "in Christ," where through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to commit our lives to God, and our "thoughts" and purposes are progressively conformed to His, leading to a life that is truly established and fruitful for His kingdom ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience") and [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 37:5

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalms 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Job 5:8

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: