Proverbs 16:20 kjv

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:20 nkjv

He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:20 niv

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

Proverbs 16:20 esv

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

Proverbs 16:20 nlt

Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 20 Meaning

Proverbs 16:20 presents a twofold path to well-being and divine favor. It asserts that diligently applying wisdom and insight to divine instruction leads one to discover what is truly beneficial and good in life. Simultaneously, it proclaims a deep state of happiness and fortunate favor for anyone who places their unwavering confidence and reliance in the Lord. Thus, a life of thoughtful obedience to God's word and wholehearted trust in God Himself leads to flourishing and true blessedness.

Proverbs 16 20 Context

Proverbs chapter 16 frequently addresses God's sovereignty over human endeavors and the moral distinctions between the wise and the wicked. Themes of divine wisdom, righteous living, and the contrast between human plans and God's ultimate decree run throughout. Verse 20 seamlessly integrates within this chapter by emphasizing that true success and inner peace are not achieved through human cunning alone but through diligent engagement with divine truth and, more foundationally, a steadfast trust in the Lord. It situates practical wisdom within a theological framework where God is the ultimate bestower of good and blessedness, aligning with the chapter's overarching theme that the Lord ultimately directs one's steps (v. 9). The ancient Israelite audience understood "good" and "blessedness" often in terms of physical well-being, material prosperity, progeny, and long life within the covenant land. The polemic is subtly directed against a purely humanistic view of success, where self-reliance or reliance on worldly systems might be preferred over the God of Israel.

Proverbs 16 20 Word analysis

• He who heeds (שֵׂכֶל - śeḵel): The Hebrew term implies insightful understanding, discretion, and practical wisdom. It's not passive hearing, but active application of intelligence and sound judgment. It means to act prudently or deal wisely.
• the word (דָּבָר - dāḇār): A rich Hebrew word, it signifies "word," "speech," "matter," "thing," or "affair." In this context, it refers to wise instruction, counsel, or divine teaching. It carries the weight of authoritative truth and principles.
• will find good (יִמְצָא טוֹב - yimṣā ṭōv): Yimṣā (will find) suggests an inevitable discovery or acquisition, indicating that the positive outcome is a direct consequence of the action. Ṭōv (good) is comprehensive, encompassing well-being, benefit, success, prosperity, and happiness in a holistic sense. This refers to finding the true advantages in life.
• and blessed (אַשְׁרֵי - ʾashrê): This exclamation conveys a state of profound inner happiness, divine favor, and flourishing. It is more than mere good luck; it implies being in an enviable state because of one's relationship or condition before God, often found in contexts of delighting in God's law or trusting in Him.
• is he who trusts (בּוֹטֵחַ - bôṭēaḥ): The verb implies placing full confidence, relying securely, and having an unwavering sense of security. It signifies an active leaning on, a complete surrender to. It speaks to a deep, active dependence.
• in the LORD (בַּיהוָה - ba-YHWH): YHWH (Yahweh) is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existence, faithfulness, and eternal nature. Trust is placed not in an abstract force, but in the specific, living God of Israel who acts in history.

Words-group analysis:

• "He who heeds the word will find good": This phrase highlights the practical dimension of wisdom. It links intellectual discernment (śeḵel) with concrete instruction (dāḇār), implying that diligent attention and practical application of sound advice or divine principles yield tangible, beneficial results. The "good" is the natural, God-ordained outcome of living wisely.
• "and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD": This part shifts focus to the theological dimension and an internal state of being. It emphasizes that ultimate blessedness (ʾashrê) and happiness are not self-generated but are gifts from God, experienced by those who wholly rely upon and find their security in the covenant Lord (YHWH). While heeding the word is a way of living, trusting in the Lord is a fundamental orientation of the heart that ensures true favor and spiritual flourishing. The parallelism shows that both practical wisdom and foundational trust are integral to the blessed life.

Proverbs 16 20 Bonus section

• Integrated Wisdom (Hokmah): This verse epitomizes the holistic nature of biblical ḥokmah (wisdom). It is not just about accumulating knowledge, but about discerning life wisely and applying truth, which ultimately leads to a disposition of deep trust in God. True sagacity inherently includes reliance on the Divine source of all wisdom.
• Divine Initiative and Human Response: While the verse outlines human actions ("heeds," "trusts"), the outcomes ("will find good," "blessed") imply a divine active causality. God is the one who ultimately orchestrates the good found and bestows the blessedness upon the trusting heart, reinforcing Proverbs 16's emphasis on God's overarching sovereignty (e.g., "The Lord has made everything for its purpose," v. 4).
• Beyond Legalism: Heeding "the word" is not presented as a legalistic requirement but as a pathway to discovery and benefit. Similarly, "trusting in the Lord" is a relationship of dependence that brings profound happiness, rather than a mere religious obligation. It points to a covenantal relationship where divine favor flows naturally from righteous living and complete surrender.

Proverbs 16 20 Commentary

Proverbs 16:20 masterfully distills the essence of the wise life, connecting it intimately with a God-centered existence. The first clause underscores that a perceptive engagement with and practical application of wise instruction – be it divine decree or sound human counsel – inevitably leads to flourishing and finding genuine advantage in life. This "good" is not always material, but encompasses overall well-being, success in one's endeavors, and favorable circumstances that derive from walking in wisdom's path. The second clause then elevates this concept to its spiritual zenith: true, enduring happiness and blessedness (the unique ʾashrê sense) are the exclusive portion of those who wholeheartedly entrust themselves to the Lord. This trust is not mere intellectual assent but a profound reliance, a confident leaning upon the character and promises of YHWH. The verse implies that heeding wisdom often involves heeding the Lord's "word," and truly trusting the Lord provides the ultimate foundation and source for the "good" that wisdom seeks. They are two intertwined dimensions of living according to God's design: disciplined obedience guided by truth and radical dependence on God's faithful sovereignty.

Examples:

• An individual diligently learns from the Scriptures about generosity and applies it to their finances, thereby "finding good" through healthy relationships and unexpected provision.
• Someone facing an incurable illness, rather than despairing, consciously places their trust in God for peace and strength, experiencing "blessedness" (deep internal tranquility and hope) despite challenging circumstances.