Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. I was envious at the foolish ] I saw persons who worshipped not the true God, and others who were abandoned to all vices, in possession of every temporal comfort, while the godly were in straits, difficulties, and affliction. I began then to doubt whether there was a wise providence; and my mind became irritated. It seems to have been a maxim among the ancient heathens, qeou oneidov touv kakouv eudaimonein, "The prosperity of the wicked is a reproach to the gods." But they had no just conception of a state of future rewards and punishments. Besides, man could not bear prosperity. If men had uninterrupted comforts here, perhaps not one soul would ever seek a preparation for heaven. Human trials and afflictions, the general warfare of human life, are the highest proof of a providence as benevolent as it is wise. Were the state of human affairs different from what it is, hell would be more thickly peopled; and there would be fewer inhabitants in glory. There is reason to doubt whether there would be any religion upon earth had we nothing but temporal prosperity. Indeed, all the following verses are proofs of it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-14 - The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodness of God. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Good thought of God will fortify against Satan's temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be sorely shaken, and ready to fail. There ar storms that will try the firmest anchors. Foolish and wicked people have sometimes a great share of outward prosperity. They seem to have the least share of the troubles of this life; and they seem to have the greatest share of its comforts. They live without the fear of God, ye they prosper, and get on in the world. Wicked men often spend their lives without much sickness, and end them without great pain; whil many godly persons scarcely know what health is, and die with grea sufferings. Often the wicked are not frightened, either by the remembrance of their sins, or the prospect of their misery, but the die without terror. We cannot judge men's state beyond death, by what passes at their death. He looked abroad, and saw many of God's people greatly at a loss. Because the wicked are so very daring, therefore his people return hither; they know not what to say to it, and the rather because they drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction. He spok feelingly when he spoke of his own troubles; there is no disputin against sense, except by faith. From all this arose a strong temptatio to cast off religion. But let us learn that the true course of sanctification consists in cleansing a man from all pollution both of soul and body. The heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ laid holy upon by faith; and by the begun works of the Lord's Spirit, manifeste in the hearty resolution, purpose, and study of holiness, and blameless course of life and actions, the hands are cleansed. It is no in vain to serve God and keep his ordinances.
Original Hebrew כי3588 קנאתי7065 בהוללים1984 שׁלום7965 רשׁעים7563 אראה׃7200
