Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
The verse pictures pride encircling the wicked like a chain about the neck, wrapping them about like a garment or clothing. It also pictures violence covering the wicked as a garment. The wicked so described often prosper for a time and seem to have more than the heart could wish, while scoffing and uttering oppression and speaking loftily.
Seeing that prosperity stirs envy in the righteous until their feet are almost gone and their steps have nearly slipped. David faltered in this way and was tempted to doubt God when he saw the wicked prosper. That faltering comes from separating from God, not from God abandoning the person.
The pride described shows itself in living for selfish interests and acting from impulse without controlling right principles. It shows itself in being self-confident and too wise to be taught, feeling no need of cautions, refusing to be controlled, growing impatient when admonished, and putting on airs of importance as if no one else's judgment is as good. Such pride and selfishness can flourish after accepting excessive wages contrary to God's will, crowding out the love of Christ and the truth. Forgetting God even for an hour or a moment is the dangerous path warned against, whose perils may go unrealized until habit holds the person like an iron band in subjection to the evil once tampered with.
Such temporary prosperity gives no assurance of divine approval and is no sign that God's prospering hand is present. Solomon left a plain divine command for a way of his own choosing and mistook the riches and worldly honor that poured in upon him for a token of God's favor. Those who esteem their own wisdom above the Lord's may be prospered for a time, but their work will not abide, and the Lord will let them pass through bitter experiences to teach that real prosperity comes not by outward display but only by conformity to His will and purpose.
Apparent prosperity does not shield the wicked from God's retributive justice. They stumble in unbelief, stand on slippery ground, and perish under His wrath, for God despises their course and His blessing will not attend those who follow it. Left to take its own way, such pomposity and self-inflation, especially in inexperienced youth, creates an impression far different from what is hoped, wins no love, fails God's purposes, brings evil influence instead of light to others, and follows the path to ruin, while reticence and modesty always command respect.
The verse pictures pride encircling the wicked like a chain about the neck, wrapping them about like a garment or clothing. It also pictures violence covering the wicked as a garment. The wicked so described often prosper for a time and seem to have more than the heart could wish, while scoffing and uttering oppression and speaking loftily.
Seeing that prosperity stirs envy in the righteous until their feet are almost gone and their steps have nearly slipped. David faltered in this way and was tempted to doubt God when he saw the wicked prosper. That faltering comes from separating from God, not from God abandoning the person.
The pride described shows itself in living for selfish interests and acting from impulse without controlling right principles. It shows itself in being self-confident and too wise to be taught, feeling no need of cautions, refusing to be controlled, growing impatient when admonished, and putting on airs of importance as if no one else's judgment is as good. Such pride and selfishness can flourish after accepting excessive wages contrary to God's will, crowding out the love of Christ and the truth. Forgetting God even for an hour or a moment is the dangerous path warned against, whose perils may go unrealized until habit holds the person like an iron band in subjection to the evil once tampered with.
Such temporary prosperity gives no assurance of divine approval and is no sign that God's prospering hand is present. Solomon left a plain divine command for a way of his own choosing and mistook the riches and worldly honor that poured in upon him for a token of God's favor. Those who esteem their own wisdom above the Lord's may be prospered for a time, but their work will not abide, and the Lord will let them pass through bitter experiences to teach that real prosperity comes not by outward display but only by conformity to His will and purpose.
Apparent prosperity does not shield the wicked from God's retributive justice. They stumble in unbelief, stand on slippery ground, and perish under His wrath, for God despises their course and His blessing will not attend those who follow it. Left to take its own way, such pomposity and self-inflation, especially in inexperienced youth, creates an impression far different from what is hoped, wins no love, fails God's purposes, brings evil influence instead of light to others, and follows the path to ruin, while reticence and modesty always command respect.