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I. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SCORNER.

1. He is one who runs counter to the general reason and maxims whereby the rest of mankind govern themselves. He places his greatest glory in those disorders which the rest of mankind are most ashamed of.

2. He is one who delights to walk in the way of sinners.

3. He would be thought of as believing that there is no God.

4. He delights in ridiculing those persons or things which have a more immediate relation to God.

5. The greatest effort of the scorner is against that order of men whose peculiar office it is to minister in things pertaining to God.

6. He makes it his business to confound the distinction of virtue and vice, to call evil good and good evil.

II. HIS RENDERING HIMSELF AN ABOMINATION TO MEN. This he does by —

1. His common swearing.

2. His profaneness.

3. His confounding the distinction of virtue and vice.

III. USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS.

1. Men generally entertain a secret esteem and veneration for religion.

2. Take care to keep ourselves at as far a distance as possible from the profane temper of mind of the scorner. Never think of God, or speak of Him, save with reverence. Be careful not to obstruct the influence of religious considerations on our hearts.

(R. Fiddes, D.D.)

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KJV: The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

WEB: The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.