It is here represented as a very lamentable thing, and a public
grievance, and of ill consequence to many, like the troubling of a
fountain and the corrupting of a spring, for the righteous to fall down
before the wicked, that is, 1. For the righteous to fall into sin in
the sight of the wicked--for them to do any thing unbecoming their
profession, which is told in Gath, and published in the streets of
Ashkelon, and in which the daughters of the Philistines rejoice. For
those that have been in reputation for wisdom and honour to fall from
their excellency, this troubles the fountains by grieving some, and
corrupts the springs by infecting others and emboldening them to do
likewise. 2. For the righteous to be oppressed, and run down, and
trampled upon, by the violence or subtlety of evil men, to be displaced
and thrust into obscurity, this is the troubling of the fountains of
justice and corrupting the very springs of government, ch. xxviii. 12,
28; xxix. 2. 3. For the righteous to be cowardly, to truckle to the
wicked, to be afraid of opposing his wickedness and basely to yield to
him, this is a reflection upon religion, a discouragement to good men,
and strengthens the hands of sinners in their sins, and so is like a
troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.