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David was peculiarly qualified to admonish the righteous as to their demeanour in relation to the ungodly. Never, perhaps, had man hotter conflicts with "evil-doers" and "workers of iniquity," and never were more signal triumphs gained over malignant hosts. We need words of soothing such as are breathed in the text. There is enough in society, both profane and professedly religious, to vex the spirit and trouble it with bitterest grief.

I. THAT THERE HAS EVER BEEN A GENERATION OF EVIL-DOERS. All ages have been blackened with the shadow of evil-doers. Not a single century has been permitted to complete its revolution without being marred by their deadly presence! I ask you to mark the terrible energy implied in the designation "workers of iniquity." Reference is not made to men who make a pastime of iniquity, or who occasionally commit themselves to its service, but to those who toil at it as a business. As the merchantman is industrious in commerce, as the philosopher is assiduous in study, as the artist is indefatigable in elaboration, so those slaves of iniquity toil in their diabolic pursuits with an ardour which the most powerful remonstrance seldom abates! They are always ready to serve their master.

II. THAT THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE NOT TO BE MOVED FROM THEIR COURSE BY THE GENERATION OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS. "Fret not thyself because of evil-doers," etc. This language does not sanction carelessness as to the moral condition and destiny of the parties indicated. We need to mourn over it. But we are not to "fret" over evil-doers, though it be natural to do so, when we think of the terrible harm they do. You punish such men more severely by taking no notice of their malignity — they would rejoice in provoking retaliation. And these "evil-doers" are often prosperous in their way, whilst the good are often exposed to social hardships. Imagine not that secular prosperity is a pledge of Divine favour.

III. THAT A TERRIBLE DOOM AWAITS THE GENERATION OF EVILDOERS. "For they shall soon be cut down," etc. Know ye of any such miserable spectacle as that of a human being "cut down"? As travellers have wandered over the ruins of classic temples, they have mourned their departed glory, but what are such ruins compared to the ruins of manhood? The heart that might have expanded with holiest emotion — wasted! The image of God an irrecoverable wreck! Imagination can paint no horrors so appalling. Though God uses not our chronometers in the measurement of time, yet the wicked themselves will have occasion to exclaim, "We are soon cut down!" You wrong your own souls in reasoning that "to-morrow shall be as this day and more abundant." The hour of your fullest joy is the hour of highest danger.

(J. Parker, D. D.)

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KJV: {A Psalm of David.} Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

WEB: Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.