For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
The verse belongs to David's account of the prosperity of the wicked, which tempted him to doubt God when he himself faltered. It describes the wicked as facing no restraints or troubles even in death, with their strength remaining firm, so that they often seem secure and prospered in their way. In the present time this means the wicked die happy and at peace, without agony of mind in sickness and death, not feeling the anguish of their lost condition. This happens because Satan blinds their minds so they do not know their true awful condition, keeping them completely deceived as his lawful prey.
If they realized their condition they would die in terrible mental anguish with appeals that would frighten some who do not love the truth into a false profession that could never save them and carry them through the time of trouble, and would derange others. Their ease can tempt the godly to envy them and doubt God's justice when faltering, a difficulty that comes from separating from God rather than God withdrawing, but the sanctuary shows this security does not last and their end is destruction. Forgetting God even for an hour or a moment puts a person on a dangerous path whose perils may go unrecognized until habit like an iron band holds them in subjection to the evil tampered with. God despises such a course and His blessing will not attend it, and only those whose hearts are garrisoned with pure principles are safe.
The verse belongs to David's account of the prosperity of the wicked, which tempted him to doubt God when he himself faltered. It describes the wicked as facing no restraints or troubles even in death, with their strength remaining firm, so that they often seem secure and prospered in their way. In the present time this means the wicked die happy and at peace, without agony of mind in sickness and death, not feeling the anguish of their lost condition. This happens because Satan blinds their minds so they do not know their true awful condition, keeping them completely deceived as his lawful prey.
If they realized their condition they would die in terrible mental anguish with appeals that would frighten some who do not love the truth into a false profession that could never save them and carry them through the time of trouble, and would derange others. Their ease can tempt the godly to envy them and doubt God's justice when faltering, a difficulty that comes from separating from God rather than God withdrawing, but the sanctuary shows this security does not last and their end is destruction. Forgetting God even for an hour or a moment puts a person on a dangerous path whose perils may go unrecognized until habit like an iron band holds them in subjection to the evil tampered with. God despises such a course and His blessing will not attend it, and only those whose hearts are garrisoned with pure principles are safe.