Proverbs 24:18

18 For fear that the Lord may see it, and it may be evil in his eyes, and his wrath may be turned away 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 an upright man, after falling seven times, will get up again: but trouble is the downfall of the evil.
17 Do not be glad at the fall of your hater, and let not your heart have joy at his downfall:
18 For fear that the Lord may see it, and it may be evil in his eyes, and his wrath may be turned away from him.
19 Do not be troubled because of evil-doers, or have envy of sinners:
20 For there will be no future for the evil man; the light of sinners will be put out.
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