Proverbs 28:12

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. WHEN RIGHTEOUS MEN DO REJOICE (PROSPER), THERE IS GREAT GLORY. All things are in great glory, the worship of God, justice, order, joyful contentment, and peace flourish (Esther 8:15). BUT WHEN THE WICKED RISE (ARE EXALTED), A MAN IS HIDDEN. Men hide themselves (; ; ) - namely, through fear of oppression, instead of the "glory" of a flourishing population. The good especially, who are the true "glory" of a state, are "hidden" "when the wicked rise" ...

Verse Proverbs 28:12. _WHEN RIGHTEOUS_ MEN _DO REJOICE_] When true religion is no longer persecuted, and the word of God duly esteemed, _there is_ _great glory_; for the word of the Lord has then free course, runs, and is glorified: but _when the wicked rise_-when they are _elevated_ to places of trust, and put at the head of civil affairs, then the righteous man is obliged to hide himself; the word of the Lord becomes scarce, and there is no open vision. The _first_ vas the case in this country, in the days of Edward VI.; the _second_ in the days of his successor, MARY I. Popery, cruelty, and knavery, under her, nearly destroyed the Church and the State in these islands....

THERE IS GREAT GLORY - Men array themselves in festive apparel, and show their joy conspicuously. A MAN IS HIDDEN - Better, men hide themselves, they shrink and cower for fear, and yet are hunted out....

EXPOSITION This chapter is still part of the Hezekiah collection, and not a new series by another author. It may be regarded as describing the various destinies of the powerful and the weak, the sinner and the righteous. PROVERBS 28:1 THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH. The unreasoning terror of the sinner arises partly from his uneasy conscience, which will not permit him to transgress without warning of consequences, and partly from the judgment of God, according to the threats denounced in Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37. A terrible picture of this instinctive fear is drawn in...

WHEN RIGHTEOUS [MEN] DO REJOICE, [THERE IS] GREAT GLORY,.... When it is well with them; when they are in prosperous circumstances; when they are countenanced and encouraged by the government under which they are; when they have the free exercise of their religion; and especially when they are advanced to places of profit, honour, and trust, which must make them cheerful and joyful; it is a glory to a land, it adds greatly to the glory of it, and a fine prospect there is of the increase and continuance of it; BUT WHEN THE WICKED RISE: to honour and dignity, and are set in high places, and are in great power and authority, which they exercise to the distress of the righteous and all good men: A MAN IS HIDDEN: a good man; he hides himself, as in Proverbs 28:28; he withdraws himself from court, from city, from company, from commerce, and business, beca

CHAPTER 28 WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED The wicked is a coward; the righteous man, because he trusteth in the Lord and knows the Lord is on his side, is as bold as a lion. It is the conscience which makes a coward of the wicked man. This chapter has many sharp contrasts and important warnings and exhortations. We point out a few. Those who forsake the law, turn their backs upon the revelation of God, refuse obedience to Him, praise the wicked, they make common cause with them. Those who keep the law, obey God's Word, are contenders for the faith Proverbs 28:4. Evil men are blind, but with seeking the Lord comes understanding, the blind eyes are opened Proverbs 28:5. A wise son is he who keepeth the law; such was Solomon till he plunged into apostasy and darkness...

SECOND DIVISION, PROVERBS 28 F. In general character this division resembles Section II., consisting chiefly of antithetic couplets. PROVERBS 28:2 B. The text is uncertain, and various renderings are possible. The translation state is very doubtful. If MT be retained, connect the word for state with the preceding, and translate by men of understanding who know what is right it is prolonged. LXX reads Through the sin of the ungodly disputes arise, but a prudent man quenches them, possibly the original text. Proverbs 28:3. A needy man: so MT, but the thought is not in keeping with the conception of the poor in Pr. or in the OT. We should probably read a wicked man who, etc. (LXX), or possibly a rich man who, etc. The simile seems to be that of a heavy unseasonable rain which flood

RIGHTEOUS. upright ones (pl). THE WICKED. lawless ones....

_a man is hidden_ Rather, MEN HIDE THEMSELVES, R.V. "Heb. _must be searched for_," marg. Comp. Proverbs 28:28....

A MAN IS HIDDEN— Houbigant renders the verse, _When just men have the rule, the citizens are much honoured; when a wicked man is in the chief place, they fall._ See Proverbs 28:28. This is similar to a sentiment of Mr. Addison's: When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honour is a private station....