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A "man's heart" is a little world, full of scheming and business. Let a man have a full inspection of his heart, its "devices," its schemes, its designs, in their succession. Notice the variety in the kinds of devices, and in men's temper and manner in respect to them. Some men are very communicative of their heart's devices; others are close, reserved, dark. Suppose that all the devices of all men could be brought out, in full manifestation, then you would have human nature displayed in its real quality. What manner of spectacle would it be! Suppose that all these devices could be accomplished. What a world you have then! One man's devices cannot be accomplished compatibly with the accomplishments of another's. The great collective whole of the "devices" of all hearts constitutes the grand complex scheme of the human race for their happiness. To every device of all hearts, God's "counsel," His design, exists parallel, whether in coincidence or in opposition. In other words, respecting the object of every device, He has His design. The text implies a great disconformity — a want of coalescence between the designs of man and God; an estranged spirit of design on the part of man.

I. THE DESIGNS OF MEN'S HEARTS ARE FORMED INDEPENDENTLY OF GOD. In what proportion of men's internal devisings may we conjecture that there is any real acknowledgment of God? Man's devising and prosecuting are in such a spirit as if there were no such thing as Providence to aid or defeat. It is deplorable to see dependent, frail, short-sighted creatures confidently taking on themselves the counsel, execution, and hazard of their schemes for being happy, in the very presence, and as in contempt, of the all-wise and almighty Director.

II. MAN'S HEART ENTERTAINS MANY DEVICES IN CONTRARIETY TO GOD. It can cherish devices which involve a rebellious emotion of displeasure, almost resentment, that there is a Sovereign Lord, whose "counsel shall stand." There is one other Mind, which has the knowledge and command of all things, a fixed design, respecting them all, paramount to all designs and devices. The counsel of the Lord sometimes is, not to prevent man's designs taking effect in the first instance. He can let men bring their iniquitous purposes into effect, and then seize that very effect, reverse its principle of agency, and make it produce immense, unintended good. But in other cases God directly frustrates them. Some devise to oppose religion; others to baffle the practical measures taken for promoting religion; others strive to get rid of the strictness of the laws of God. There are also many projects for temporal gomod, ade in a right spirit, which nevertheless are disappointed and fail, so that we have humbly and complacently to repose in the determination of our God as to what is best.

(John Foster.)

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KJV: There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

WEB: There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail.