Of all that forget God, i.e. of wicked men, who are branded with this same character, Psalms 9:17, Psalms 50:22; or hypocrites, as the next words explain it, who are described by their first and fundamental miscarriage, which is, that they forget, i.e. neglect, forsake, and despise, (for so this phrase is commonly understood, as Deuteronomy 6:12, Deuteronomy 8:11 32:18 Jeremiah 2:32, Jeremiah 23:27) God, i.e. his presence, and commands, and worship, and providence; and therefore break forth into manifold sins. But by their paths he doth not understand the course of their actions, or manner of their living; but the events which befall them, called their paths objectively, because they are the paths of God, or the methods of his providence, or manner of his dealing with them. Now this may be accommodated to the foregoing similitude in this manner: Such is the prosperity of wicked men, because it wants the solid foundation of their piety, and of God's promise and blessing consequent thereupon, it quickly vanisheth into nothing. The hypocrite's hope shall perish, i.e. he shall lose what he hoped for ( hope being oft put for its object,) even uninterrupted and abiding felicity, and with it all hope of restitution.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising