Proverbs — Chapter 21

Cor regis in manu Domini, quocumque voluerit inclinabit illud

The heart of a king is in the hand of the Lord; wherever He wills, He turns it. Lapide: Divine providence governs the hearts even of the most powerful rulers. \"In manu Domini\" = in God's power and under His guidance. This does not eliminate the king's free will but affirms that God can and does direct the decisions of rulers to fulfill His purposes — sometimes by interior inspiration, sometimes by external circumstances, sometimes by permitting or restraining choices. Lapide cites the Pharaoh whose heart was hardened, Cyrus who freed the Jews, and Augustus whose census brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.

Facere misericordiam et judicium, magis placet Domino quam victimae

To do mercy and judgment pleases the Lord more than sacrifices. Lapide: The priority of interior virtue and justice over external religious observance — echoing Samuel (1 Sam. 15:22), Hosea (6:6), Isaiah (1:11-17), and Christ (Mt. 9:13, 12:7). \"Misericordia et judicium\" = the practical exercise of mercy toward the poor and justice in all dealings. These are the two central virtues of the covenant relationship. Lapide: External worship (sacrifice, prayer, fasting) has great value but only when it flows from and is accompanied by interior righteousness; without the latter, it is merely theatrical.