he enemies of the truth and the church described, Their
destruction. (1-5) The righteous rejoice. (6-9)
Verses 1-5: Those that glory in sin, glory in their shame. The patience
and forbearance of God are abused by sinners, to the hardening
of their hearts in their wicked ways. But the enemies in vain
boast in their mischief, while we have God's mercy to trust in.
It will not save us from the guilt of lying, to be able to say,
there was some truth in what we said, if we make it appear
otherwise than it was. The more there is of craft and
contrivance in any wickedness, the more there is of Satan in it.
When good men die, they are transplanted from the land of the
living on earth, to heaven, the garden of the Lord, where they
shall take root for ever; but when wicked men die, they are
rooted out, to perish for ever. The believer sees that God will
destroy those who make not him their strength.
Verses 6-9: Those wretchedly deceive themselves, who think to support
themselves in power and wealth without God. The wicked man
trusted in the abundance of his riches; he thought his
wickedness would help him to keep his wealth. Right or wrong, he
would get what he could, and keep what he had, and ruin any one
that stood in his way; this he thought would strengthen him; but
see what it comes to! Those who by faith and love dwell in the
house of God, shall be like green olive-trees there. And that we
may be as green olive-trees, we must live a life of faith and
holy confidence in God and his grace. It adds much to the beauty
of our profession, and to fruitfulness in every grace, to be
much in praising God; and we never can want matter for praise.
His name alone can be our refuge and strong tower. It is very
good for us to wait on that saving name; there is nothing better
to calm and quiet our spirits, when disturbed, and to keep us in
the way of duty, when tempted to use any crooked courses for our
relief, than to hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the
Lord. None ever followed his guidance but it ended well.
he enemies of the truth and the church described, Their
destruction. (1-5) The righteous rejoice. (6-9)