Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. For the rod of the worked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous ] Rod, here. may be taken for persecution, or for rule; and then it may be thus interpreted: "The wicked shall not be permitted to persecute always, nor to have a permanent rule." In our liturgic version this clause is thus rendered: "The rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous."This," said one of our forefathers, "is neither truth nor scripture. First, it is not truth; for the rod of the wicked doth come into the inheritance of the righteous, and that often. Secondly, it is not scripture, for the text saith, 'The rod of the wicked shall not rest there.' It may come, and stay for a time; but it shall not be permitted to abide." This is only one, and not the worst, of the many sad blemishes which deform the Version in our national Prayer-book. In short, the Version of the Psalms in that book is wholly unworthy of regard; and should be thrown aside, and that in the authorized Version in the Bible substituted for it. The people of God are misled by it; and they are confounded with the great and glaring differences they find between it and what they findd in their Bibles, where they have a version of a much better character, delivered to them by the authority of Church and state. Why do not our present excellent and learned prelates lay this to heart, and take away this sore stumbling-block out of the way of the people? I have referred to this subject in the introduction to the Book of Psalms.
Lest the righteous put forth ] Were the wicked to bear rule in the Lord's vineyard, religion would soon become extinct; for the great mass of the people would conform to their rulers. Fear not your enemies, while ye fear God. Neither Sanballat, nor Tobiah, nor Geshem, nor any of God's foes, shall be able to set up their rod, their power and authority, here. While you are faithful, the Lord will laugh them to scorn.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - All those minds shall be truly stayed, that are stayed on God. The shall be as Mount Zion, firm as it is; a mountain supported by providence, much more as a holy mountain supported by promise. The cannot be removed from confidence in God. They abide for ever in tha grace which is the earnest of their everlasting continuance in glory Committing themselves to God, they shall be safe from their enemies Even mountains may moulder and come to nothing, and rocks be removed but God's covenant with his people cannot be broken, nor his care of them cease. Their troubles shall last no longer than their strengt will bear them up under them. The rod of the wicked may come, may fal upon the righteous, upon their persons, their estates, their liberties their families names, on any thing that falls to their lot; only i cannot reach their souls. And though it may come upon their lot, it shall not rest thereon. The Lord will make all work together for their good. The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod, not a destroying sword; even this rod shall not remain upon them, lest they distrust the promise, thinking God has cast them off.
Original Hebrew כי3588 לא3808 ינוח5117 שׁבט7626 הרשׁע7562 על5921 גורל1486 הצדיקים6662 למען4616 לא3808 ישׁלחו7971 הצדיקים6662 בעולתה5766 ידיהם׃3027
