The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2
Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3
To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.
4
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Proverbs 21:1 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Proverbs 21:1 say?
Proverbs 21:1 in the NASB reads: “The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.”
Where is Proverbs 21:1 in the Bible?
Proverbs 21:1 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 21, verse 1.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 21:1.
What translation should I read Proverbs 21:1 in?
Proverbs 21:1 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 21:1?
Proverbs 21:1 reads (NASB): “The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.