When it goeth well with the righteous, the city
rejoiceth,
&c.] As it always does, even in the worst of times; in times
of public calamity and distress, and when enemies rise up on all
hands; it is well with them in life, in death, and to all
eternity; see ( Isaiah 3:10 ) ; but
there are particular times when it goes well with them, which is
matter of joy to others; when they prosper in the worm, increase
in riches and honour, and are advanced to places of authority and
trust; just magistrates in a city or commonwealth are a blessing,
and so cause joy; see ( Proverbs
29:2 ) ; and when it goes well with them in spiritual things,
they increase in gifts and grace, the humble hear of it and are
glad; the city or church of God, the community of the saints,
rejoice: and as it went well with them in Constantine's time,
when Paganism was destroyed and persecution ceased; and at the
time of the reformation, when the pure doctrines of the Gospel
were revived, which were both times of joy to the city of God; so
in the latter day, when the Lord's people will be righteous, the
church will be the joy of many generations; and when the kingdom
shall be given to the saints of the most High, and the kingdoms
of the world become the Lord's and his Christ's, there will be
great voices in heaven, rejoicings in the church, and a new song
sung, ( Isaiah 60:21
Isaiah
60:15 ) ( Revelation
11:15 Revelation
11:17 ) ( Revelation
14:3 Revelation
14:4 ) ; and when the wicked perish, [there is]
shouting;
as there will be great rejoicings, shoutings, and hallelujahs,
when Babylon is fallen, ( Revelation
18:20 Revelation
18:21 ) ( Revelation
19:1 Revelation
19:2 ) .