The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Proverbs 19 to 22 belong together as practical moral wisdom for measuring life by God's standard, with special attention to temperance and talebearing. In that setting the verse gives instruction for everyday duty to neighbors, friends and family and for faithful service to God. It calls for temperance, forbearance, gentleness and submission to correction. Soul in the verse means the mind, the rational soul as the seat of the passions, emotions and affections belonging to a rational being, including its desires and attitudes. Those affections include love, joy, fear, sorrow, hope, hatred, revenge and contempt, and the desiring of evil is one such affection of the soul.
The wicked person is portrayed as one whose soul wants evil and who shows no favor to his neighbor. The opposite course is faithful, gentle and temperate dealing with others in daily duty. Jehovah is presented as creator, governor and disposer of human destinies, who rewards piety and punishes evil.
Proverbs 19 to 22 belong together as practical moral wisdom for measuring life by God's standard, with special attention to temperance and talebearing. In that setting the verse gives instruction for everyday duty to neighbors, friends and family and for faithful service to God. It calls for temperance, forbearance, gentleness and submission to correction. Soul in the verse means the mind, the rational soul as the seat of the passions, emotions and affections belonging to a rational being, including its desires and attitudes. Those affections include love, joy, fear, sorrow, hope, hatred, revenge and contempt, and the desiring of evil is one such affection of the soul.
The wicked person is portrayed as one whose soul wants evil and who shows no favor to his neighbor. The opposite course is faithful, gentle and temperate dealing with others in daily duty. Jehovah is presented as creator, governor and disposer of human destinies, who rewards piety and punishes evil.