There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
(There are) many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Man has "many devices," through his ignorance of the future. Many and laboriously devised as they are, they often effect nothing. But God has one "counsel," and that simple, not involved or complicate, and immutable. There is no succession of time or thought in His decrees. His counsel shall stand - i:e., unalterably be fulfilled (Jeremiah 44:28-29). There is what is termed a parallage, or need of supplying each clause from the parallel one: "There are many devices in a man's heart (but they shall not stand); but the counsel of the Lord (which is one; as opposed to the many devices of man), that shall stand." "That" is emphatic. That, that I say alone, free from all mistake, imperfection, or want of power, shall stand (Psalms 115:3). God being the unchangeable One, will not change it: and no creature can suspend or prevent it. Of man's many devices that alone shall stand which God pleaseth (Romans 9:19, end; Daniel 4:35).