Proverbs 24:18

18 or else the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from them.

Proverbs 24:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 24:18

Lest the Lord see [it], and it displease him
Who sees all things, not only external actions, but the heart, and the inward motions of it; and though men may hide the pleasure they feel at the misery of an enemy from others, they cannot hide it from the Lord; nor is this said by way of doubt, but as a certain thing; and which the Lord not barely sees, but takes notice of, and to such a degree as to resent it, and show his displeasure at it by taking the following step; and he turn away his wrath from him;
remove the effects of it, raise him out of his fallen and distressed condition, and restore him to his former prosperous one; and not only so, but turn it upon thee, as Gersom supplies the words, and not amiss; so that there is a strange and sudden change of circumstances; thou that was pleasing thyself with the distress of thine enemy art fallen into the same, and he is delivered out of it; which must be a double affliction to such a man; so that by rejoicing at an enemy, he is doing his enemy good and himself hurt; see ( Proverbs 17:5 ) .

Proverbs 24:18 In-Context

16 for though they fall seven times, they will rise again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble,
18 or else the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from them.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers. Do not envy the wicked;
20 for the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will go out.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.