An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief. The heart (not merely evil, as all men's hearts are naturally, but) deliberately and continually, of set purpose, devising wicked imaginations is set the middle of the seven abominations, for it is the center whence the rest emanate. The 'feet swift to mischief' expresses the eagerness and unhesitating energy of the bad to carry into effect the wickedness which their hearts devise. Though evil thoughts arise in the godly, yet the feet, at the promptings of conscience as it were, refuse to carry out the bad suggestion of the heart (cf. Isaiah 59:7). Contrast David's conduct when Saul was in his power in the cave at Engedi (1 Samuel 24:5, "David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt"): so after the numbering of the people (2 Samuel 24:10).