Proverbs 24:18

18 lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

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 a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked;
20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.