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What do Proverbs 3:5–6 mean?
A much-quoted pair of verses from a fatherly address: trust, acknowledge, and the promise of straight paths.
Scripture context and classic commentary notes below. For a live, retrieval-grounded conversation, Ask Bible.
A father’s speech, not a fortune cookie
Proverbs 3 is still the voice of parental wisdom (3:1–4). Verses 5–6: trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. “Own understanding” is the proud competence that will not be taught. Trust is covenant reliance, not emptying the mind.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary · Matthew Henry
Henry on Proverbs 3:5–6 says we must not think ourselves fit to be our own guides, and that acknowledging God is prayer and submission, not a charm.
Straight paths
The promise of straight or directed paths sits beside commands against self-wise arrogance (3:7–8) and calls to honor the Lord with wealth (3:9–10). Wisdom literature states typical outcomes, not mechanical bargains. Read the verses with the fear of the Lord that frames the book.
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible · John Gill
Gill treats “straight” as both moral rectitude and providential guidance, while warning against reading the proverb as a guarantee of ease.