Please explain Proverbs 19:3, “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.” Also may I get the meaning of the word “fretteth?” I couldn’t find the definition online.

We know that foolishness is not good since Proverbs 24:9 says, “The thought of foolishness is sin.” Man’s foolishness perverts his way. The word “perverteth” comes from the Hebrew word ‘calaph’ and means to overthrow. If we choose to ignore wise advice and make foolish choices, then our foolishness will overthrow our lives. We will have much unnecessary sorrow if we choose to be foolish.

The foolish man’s “heart fretteth against the Lord” (Proverbs 19:3). The word “fretteth” comes from the Hebrew word ‘zaaph’ and means to boil up in anger. Foolish men have anger in their hearts toward the Lord. They know that they are making unwise choices, but they want to fulfill their own sinful desires anyway. They are angry toward the Lord since His Word is plain about what is wise and what is foolish.

If you have not yet trusted on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, please do so today. God’s plan for your life is so much better than the foolish choices that you would like to make or have made. After you are saved you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who is able to give you the strength to make wise choices. Then you can experience what the Lord Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. This verse states, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (217.8) (DJ)