Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Away from me, ye wicked! (Prayer-book Version). If we take the psalmist as representing the nation Israel establishing itself again after the Captivity, then the verse expresses its determination to purify itself from the leaven of evil influence; from the power of every one who, and everything which, could be a hindrance to the full and worthy re-establishment of the Jehovah-religion. We may somewhat enlarge on this so as to get a point that will give us practical and helpful applications. Here is a distinct apprehension of the evil influence exerted by the wicked, which rouses indignation, and impels the psalmist to say vigorously, "Away from me, ye wicked!" The wicked man, in the view of the psalmist, is the self-willed man, who refuses to shape his conduct by the rule and Law and will of God. And that sort of man is found in every sphere of human association - in the home, the business, the social circle, the senate. And everywhere that man is, he must be, a mischief-maker. What is the mischievous influence that he exerts? I. HE PRESENTS AN EVIL EXAMPLE. This is familiar, but point may be gained by showing that in every sphere of life there are the immature, who are specially susceptible to influence, and unable to resist the attractiveness of evil example. For instance, the insidious doubtings and questionings of the evil ones have no power on the matured, but seriously affect the immature. II. HE BREAKS UP THE UNITY OF ENTERPRISE. He is always the other one, the objector, the one who pulls the other way, who wants something else. He is the drag on all good effort. This may be illustrated in relation to united prayer. He prays against the prayer, and so prevents the blessing which is promised to unity. III. HE BEINGS ON THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD WHICH AFFECT OTHERS BESIDE HIMSELF. "The wicked shall not go unpunished," but it is not possible, under the conditions of human existence, to isolate the punishment to the evildoer. Those in association with him must share in the effects of the judgment (see the cases of Achan, Korah, etc.). The evil-disposed persons in the new Jewish nation might bring judgments on the nation by their willful doings. Therefore the psalmist is anxious for distinct and entire separation from them. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.WEB: Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. |
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