Proverbs 24:18

18 Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath 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 up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

18 Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; Neither be envious of the wicked:

20 For there will be no reward to the evil man; And the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.