For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
The verse records a near loss of footing, when envy at the foolish and at the arrogant over the prosperity of the wicked left the feet almost gone and the steps well-nigh slipping and stumbling. The envy came while the one envying was himself faltering and failing, as he saw the apparent ease and success of the wicked while those who loved God faced trouble. That contrast made him think God's ways were unequal, and tempted him to doubt God, even to doubt that God existed.
The fault in that doubting and backsliding lay not with God but in separating from God. God does not separate Himself from a person nor turn the soul away, so the person must choose to abide in fellowship with Him in Christ. The prosperity that excites such envy is only seeming and often lasts only for a time. It is no assurance of divine approval and no evidence that God's prospering hand is present, even when those who turn from a plain Thus saith the Lord to follow a way of their own choosing appear greatly blessed, as when Solomon violated God's word yet riches and worldly honor poured in upon him and he seemed greatly blessed and regarded it as a token of favor.
The wicked who are so envied are marked by pride as a chain about the neck, by violence covering them as a garment, by eyes standing out with indulged appetite, by having more than heart could wish, and by scoffing and uttering oppression in wickedness and speaking loftily. Those who esteem their own wisdom above God's wisdom may seem to be prospered in their way for a time, but God despises and rejects such a course and His blessing will not attend it. Their work will not abide and will not last, and they are let to pass through bitter experiences to learn that real prosperity comes not by outward display but only by conformity to God's will and purpose. The verse warns of the spiritual danger of judging by present circumstances before considering the end of the wicked.
For forgetting God even for an hour or a moment puts a person in a dangerous path whose perils may not be realized at first. Tampering with evil forms a habit that holds in subjection with great strength, like an iron band. Safety is only for those whose hearts are garrisoned and guarded with pure principles and who keep up a constant battle with the selfishness and corruption of the human heart.
The verse records a near loss of footing, when envy at the foolish and at the arrogant over the prosperity of the wicked left the feet almost gone and the steps well-nigh slipping and stumbling. The envy came while the one envying was himself faltering and failing, as he saw the apparent ease and success of the wicked while those who loved God faced trouble. That contrast made him think God's ways were unequal, and tempted him to doubt God, even to doubt that God existed.
The fault in that doubting and backsliding lay not with God but in separating from God. God does not separate Himself from a person nor turn the soul away, so the person must choose to abide in fellowship with Him in Christ. The prosperity that excites such envy is only seeming and often lasts only for a time. It is no assurance of divine approval and no evidence that God's prospering hand is present, even when those who turn from a plain Thus saith the Lord to follow a way of their own choosing appear greatly blessed, as when Solomon violated God's word yet riches and worldly honor poured in upon him and he seemed greatly blessed and regarded it as a token of favor.
The wicked who are so envied are marked by pride as a chain about the neck, by violence covering them as a garment, by eyes standing out with indulged appetite, by having more than heart could wish, and by scoffing and uttering oppression in wickedness and speaking loftily. Those who esteem their own wisdom above God's wisdom may seem to be prospered in their way for a time, but God despises and rejects such a course and His blessing will not attend it. Their work will not abide and will not last, and they are let to pass through bitter experiences to learn that real prosperity comes not by outward display but only by conformity to God's will and purpose. The verse warns of the spiritual danger of judging by present circumstances before considering the end of the wicked.
For forgetting God even for an hour or a moment puts a person in a dangerous path whose perils may not be realized at first. Tampering with evil forms a habit that holds in subjection with great strength, like an iron band. Safety is only for those whose hearts are garrisoned and guarded with pure principles and who keep up a constant battle with the selfishness and corruption of the human heart.