Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord ] The Lord is the only ruler of princes. He alone can govern and direct their counsels. But there is an allusion here to the Eastern method of watering their lands.
Several canals are dug from one stream; and by opening a particular sluice, the husbandman can direct a stream to whatever part he please: so the king's heart, wherever it turns; i.e., to whomsoever he is disposed to show favour. As the land is enriched with the streams employed in irrigation; so is the favourite of the king, by the royal bounty: and God can induce the king to give that bounty to whomsoever he will. See Harmer.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1 - The believer, perceiving that the Lord rules every heart as he see fit, like the husbandman who turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, seeks to have his own heart, and the hearts of others directed in his faith, fear, and love.
Original Hebrew פלגי6388 מים4325 לב3820 מלך4428 ביד3027 יהוה3068 על5921 כל3605 אשׁר834 יחפץ2654 יטנו׃5186
