[Men] shall clap their hands at him
In a way of joy and triumph, scorn and derision, see ( Lamentations
2:15 ) ( Nahum 3:19 ) ; either at
the time of his death, being glad they are rid of him, ( Psalms 52:5 Psalms 52:6 ) ; or
rather hereafter, to all eternity, while the wrath and vengeance
of God is pouring on him; and this will be done by all righteous
men evermore; not pleasing themselves with the shocking scene,
nor indulging any evil passion in them, from which they will be
entirely free; but rejoicing in the glory of divine justice,
which will be displayed in the everlasting destruction of wicked
men, see ( Revelation
18:20 ) ( Revelation
19:1 Revelation
19:2 ) ; and this need not be restrained to good men only,
but ascribed to angels also; for it may be rendered impersonally,
"hands shall be clapped at him"; or joy be expressed on this
occasion by all in heaven, angels and saints, who will all
approve and applaud the divine procedure against wicked men as
right and just; yea, this may express the glorying of divine
justice, and its triumph in the condemnation and destruction of
sinners;
and shall hiss him out of his place;
from the bar and tribunal of God, where he stood and was
condemned; and, as he goes to everlasting punishment, expressing
abhorrence and detestation of him and his crimes, and as pleased
with the righteous judgment of God upon him. Now this is the
wicked man's portion, and the heritage he shall have of God at
and after death, though he has been in flourishing circumstances
in life; all which Job observes, to show that he was no friend
nor favourer of wicked men, nor thought well of them and their
ways, though he observed the prosperity they are attended with in
their present state; and as for himself, he was not, and would
not, be such a wicked man, and an hypocrite, on any account
whatever, since he was sure he must then be miserable hereafter,
to all intents and purposes.
