Psalms 24

(Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1).

studieth--meditateth. talk ... mischief--Their expressed purposes are to do evil.

(Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14). house--including the family.

by knowledge ... riches--(Pr 8:18; 21:20).

The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).

(Compare Pr 14:16). in the gate--(Compare Pr 22:22).

So called even if he fails to do evil.

Same thought varied.

Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.

Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17). ready--literally, "bowing down" to be slain--that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.

As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

reward--literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pr 23:18; Ps 37:37, 38).

The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Ps 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.

seven times--often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1).

Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).

(Ps 37:1, 38; 18:28).

candle--or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).

A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17). meddle ... change--(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.

their calamity, &c.--either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.

These ... wise--literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34. to have respect--literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,

of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.

kiss his lips--love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1). right answer--literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.

Prepare ... in the field--Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.

Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.

Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).

A striking picture of the effects of sloth. 32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).

We ourselves are not our own; our bodies, our souls, are not. Even those of the children of men are God's, who know him not, nor own their relation to him. A soul that knows and considers its own nature, and that it must live for ever, when it has viewed the earth and the fulness thereof, will sit down unsatisfied. It will think of ascending toward God, and will ask, What shall I do, that I may abide in that happy, holy place, where he makes his people holy and happy? We make nothing of religion, if we do not make heart-work of it. We can only be cleansed from our sins, and renewed unto holiness, by the blood of Christ and the washing of the Holy Ghost. Thus we become his people; thus we receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of our salvation. God's peculiar people shall be made truly and for ever happy. Where God gives righteousness, he designs salvation. Those that are made meet for heaven, shall be brought safe to heaven, and will find what they have been seeking.

The splendid entry here described, refers to the solemn bringing in of the ark into the tent David pitched for it, or the temple Solomon built for it. We may also apply it to the ascension of Christ into heaven, and the welcome given to him there. Our Redeemer found the gates of heaven shut, but having by his blood made atonement for sin, as one having authority, he demanded entrance. The angels were to worship him, Heb 1:6: they ask with wonder, Who is he? It is answered, that he is strong and mighty; mighty in battle to save his people, and to subdue his and their enemies. We may apply it to Christ's entrance into the souls of men by his word and Spirit, that they may be his temples. Behold, he stands at the door, and knocks, Rev 3:20. The gates and doors of the heart are to be opened to him, as possession is delivered to the rightful owner. We may apply it to his second coming with glorious power. Lord, open the everlasting door of our souls by thy grace, that we may now receive thee, and be wholly thine; and that, at length, we may be numbered with thy saints in glory.