How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
The verse reveals the end of the wicked, who receive blessings and favors and prosper in riches with firm strength and with no trouble like others. By contrast, those who love God are compassed with difficulties and perplexities. Their prosperity provokes envy and the thought that God's ways are unequal, so that the feet are almost gone and the steps have well nigh slipped.
Their end is understood only upon going into the sanctuary of God. There it is seen that God has set them in slippery places and casts them down to destruction, where they pass as a dream when one awaketh which the Lord despises. They are brought into desolation as in a moment, brought to sudden ruin in an instant, and utterly consumed and completely overwhelmed with terrors.
Their prosperity, though they may possess great riches, cannot avert God's retributive justice, for they perish suddenly without repentance or hope as God's wrath is kindled against them. Seeing this brings grief of heart and pricking of heart with conviction of having been foolish and ignorant as a beast before God. Yet it leads to being continually with God, held by His right hand, and learning that it is good to draw near to God, to put trust in Him, and to declare all His works.
The verse reveals the end of the wicked, who receive blessings and favors and prosper in riches with firm strength and with no trouble like others. By contrast, those who love God are compassed with difficulties and perplexities. Their prosperity provokes envy and the thought that God's ways are unequal, so that the feet are almost gone and the steps have well nigh slipped.
Their end is understood only upon going into the sanctuary of God. There it is seen that God has set them in slippery places and casts them down to destruction, where they pass as a dream when one awaketh which the Lord despises. They are brought into desolation as in a moment, brought to sudden ruin in an instant, and utterly consumed and completely overwhelmed with terrors.
Their prosperity, though they may possess great riches, cannot avert God's retributive justice, for they perish suddenly without repentance or hope as God's wrath is kindled against them. Seeing this brings grief of heart and pricking of heart with conviction of having been foolish and ignorant as a beast before God. Yet it leads to being continually with God, held by His right hand, and learning that it is good to draw near to God, to put trust in Him, and to declare all His works.