John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. The thoughts of the righteous [are] right , etc.] Or “judgment” f327 .
The thoughts of men’s hearts are naturally evil, nor can any think a good thought of themselves; but the thoughts of the righteous are directed and influenced by the grace of God, and are formed according to that Word which is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; their thoughts concerning God and religion, concerning Christ and his Gospel, his ways and worship, his truths and ordinances, they are judiciously framed according to the rule of God’s word, the revelation he has made, and so are right; and such are their resolutions and designs to serve the Lord their God, and him only, and to cleave to him with full purpose of heart [but] the counsels of the wicked [are] deceit ; the designs, schemes, and contrivances of wicked men, are to trick, and overreach, and defraud their neighbours in civil affairs; and of false teachers, to deceive the hearts of the simple in religious ones. The coming of the man of sin was with all deceivableness; and all the gaudy show and pageantry he makes, and pretended miracles he works, are to deceive the inhabitants of the earth; and by his sorceries all nations are deceived, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10 Revelation 13:14 18:23).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5 - Thoughts are not free; they are under the Divine knowledge, therefor under the Divine command. It is a man's shame to act with deceit, with trick and design.
Original Hebrew מחשׁבות4284 צדיקים6662 משׁפט4941 תחבלות8458 רשׁעים7563 מרמה׃4820
