The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
– Proverbs 16:4
[T]his proverb is an advanced piece of theology pertaining to the sovereignty of God over his creation. The word for himself is the same as in verse 1 that was translated answer. The first statement reveals Yahweh has made everything and everything is made for his purpose (Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11). The day of evil, or trouble, speaks of judgment. The wicked will come to their deserved end and even this is by God’s purpose and for his glory (Job 21:30; Romans 9:21-22). The depth of theology here is beyond the scope of a brief commentary. God has a will and purpose from beginning to end for his creation from before the foundation of the world (Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 1:9-11). All of history is moving toward God’s designed end and this proverb emphasizes that the rebellion of the wicked and their rejection of his revealed will do not thwart his purpose (Daniel 4:35). Asaph wrote that even man’s wrath praises God and all else is restrained by God (Psalm 76:10).