The righteous and the wicked.
The argument is continued and repeated in various forms, that the righteous is to hold fast his confidence in God, and not to be discouraged by the prosperity of the wicked. For—
I. CONSIDER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WICKED. (Psalms 37:12-15, Psalms 37:20.)
1. The impotence of the plots which they in their anger devise. (Psalms 37:12, Psalms 37:13.) The Lord shall laugh. "No weapon formed against him shall prosper."
2. The punishment of the wicked is near and certain. (Psalms 37:13, Psalms 37:20.) "He seeth that his day is coming."
3. The weapons which they employ against the righteous shall recoil upon themselves. (Psalms 37:14, Psalms 37:15.) God overrules the contest between them.
II. THE BLESSEDNESS Or THE RIGHTEOUS. (Psalms 37:16-19.)
1. A little with righteousness is worth more than much with wickedness. (Psalms 37:16.)
2. The strength of the righteous is maintained and upheld by God. (Psalms 37:17.) While the "arms"—equivalent to the "strength"—of the wicked soon break down.
3. They fulfil their divinely appointed days, and their goods descend to their posterity. (Psalms 37:18.) They are secure, and all things work together for good. The Christian knows of an eternal inheritance.
4. God will provide for all their wants. (Psalms 37:19.) This we know more abundantly in Christ.—S.
God orders the good life.
"The steps of a good man," etc.
I. GOD ORDERS THE LIFE OF A GOOD MAN.
1. By means of outward law. "His delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night." "But what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh," etc. Christ is the outward law for the Christian.
2. By means of an inward influence. His Spirit exerting, directing, and ruling the thoughts, the desires, and the will, teaching him how to choose and how to walk. He "orders" consistently with our freedom.
II. GOD TAKES PLEASURE IN THE WAY OF GOOD MEN.
1. Because all his work is good. A good man's life is his production. All God's work is good, none evil.
2. Because he delights in the rectitude and welfare of his children. As an earthly father delights in the true prosperity of his children.
III. GOD GIVES EVERY HELP FOR THE RECOVERY OF THOSE WHO FALL. He upholds him, helps him to rise, by taking hold of his hand.
1. He promises abundant forgiveness to the repentant. "Let the wicked forsake his way," etc. The parable of the prodigal son.
2. He searches and tries and shows the evil way in men, and leads them to repentance. By the revealing work of his Spirit. "Like as a father pitieth his children," etc.—S.