They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
The psalm to which this verse belongs exalts God's law as the rule of life and the standard that distinguishes right from wrong and truth from error. Those who follow after mischief or evil draw nigh while they remain far from that law.
Their drawing near is bold and defiant wickedness directed against God's holy law. Their course is continual insult to and defiance against the commandments God gave to govern the human beings He created, including changing His laws. Their cruelty makes life intolerable.
God's forbearance toward this continually increasing perversity has been very great, so great as to cause marvel, for in long-suffering He restrains His own attributes and holds back His omnipotence, while giving continual light to those who remain obedient. This lawlessness connects with the point at which God intervenes in judgment, for the wickedness has reached the point where the Lord will certainly interfere and arise to punish it.
The psalm to which this verse belongs exalts God's law as the rule of life and the standard that distinguishes right from wrong and truth from error. Those who follow after mischief or evil draw nigh while they remain far from that law.
Their drawing near is bold and defiant wickedness directed against God's holy law. Their course is continual insult to and defiance against the commandments God gave to govern the human beings He created, including changing His laws. Their cruelty makes life intolerable.
God's forbearance toward this continually increasing perversity has been very great, so great as to cause marvel, for in long-suffering He restrains His own attributes and holds back His omnipotence, while giving continual light to those who remain obedient. This lawlessness connects with the point at which God intervenes in judgment, for the wickedness has reached the point where the Lord will certainly interfere and arise to punish it.