As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
The verse speaks to the final outcome of the wicked who receive blessings and prosper in riches and strength, while those who love God are compassed about with difficulties and perplexities. Their present prosperity makes the ways of God appear unequal, as if goodness goes unrewarded and rebellion goes favored. That apparent inequality is not settled by outward appearances but is resolved in the sanctuary of God, where their end is made plain. There it is understood that God has set them in slippery places and casts them down to destruction.
They are brought into desolation in a moment, utterly consumed with terrors. At that time their life and image vanish before the Lord like a dream that is gone upon waking and is despised. Seeing this grieved David's heart and exposed his own envy as foolish and ignorant. It brought him to remain continually with God, held by His right hand, and to find it good to draw near to God and put his trust in Him.
The verse speaks to the final outcome of the wicked who receive blessings and prosper in riches and strength, while those who love God are compassed about with difficulties and perplexities. Their present prosperity makes the ways of God appear unequal, as if goodness goes unrewarded and rebellion goes favored. That apparent inequality is not settled by outward appearances but is resolved in the sanctuary of God, where their end is made plain. There it is understood that God has set them in slippery places and casts them down to destruction.
They are brought into desolation in a moment, utterly consumed with terrors. At that time their life and image vanish before the Lord like a dream that is gone upon waking and is despised. Seeing this grieved David's heart and exposed his own envy as foolish and ignorant. It brought him to remain continually with God, held by His right hand, and to find it good to draw near to God and put his trust in Him.