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I. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSON TO WHOM THIS PROMISE IS MADE, The "upright man" is the honest man, the man of integrity.

1. He hath a serious and hearty sense of God and religion upon his spirit, and is above all things careful to preserve and increase that sense.

2. In his civil conversation —

(1) As a private person, the general rule by which he frames his whole conversation, is such a prudent and diligent care of himself, and his own good, as is not only consistent with, but doth effectually tend to promote the good and happiness of all others that he deals with.

(2) As a magistrate. The great thing he proposes to himself, in taking any office upon him, is the glory of God and the public good.

II. THE ADVANTAGES AND PRIVILEGES THAT SUCH A MAN ENJOYS IN EVIL AND DANGEROUS TIMES. "Light in the darkness."

1. By "light," we may understand light for his guidance and direction; and then the sense is, That in critical and perilous times, the upright man, of all others, will be best enabled to order and manage his affairs.

2. By "light," we may understand safety and defence, as the word is sometimes taken in Scripture; and then the sense is, That in evil times the upright man walks most free from danger; he of all others may expect security and protection in a common calamity.

3. By "light," we may understand peace and joy (as that likewise is another usual sense of the word), and then the meaning is, That in evil times, let things happen as they will, though it should be the fortune of the upright mail to be oppressed in the crowd; yet this happiness he will always have, that his mind will be at perfect ease and peace. Nothing shall ever discompose him, but in the midst of his sufferings his heart shall be replenished with perpetual Comfort.

(Abp. Sharp.)

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KJV: Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

WEB: Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.