Psalm 17:14-15 From men which are your hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life… David prays to be delivered from the Wicked, that he might not fall under their power, nor be numbered with them as "men of the world which have," etc. Now note — I. WICKED MEN MAY HAVE A LARGE PORTION IN THIS LIFE. God deals thus with them — 1. To prove the extent and kindness of His providence; 2. And that judgment is His strange work, and how disingenuous is the conduct of the wicked whom He daily loadeth with benefits. 3. Wicked men, in the hand of Providence, may do some services for God or His people, and for this He will bless them (Ezekiel 29:18, 19; 2 Kings 10:80). 4. Because they choose their portion here and He lets them take it, and therein all they shall have. 5. For judgment, since wealth will surely corrupt them yet more. 6. To instruct the righteous — (1) In the evil of their own hearts, that they cannot trust them: they will promise and vow what they will do if they become, rich, but they never, do it. (2) How little value the things of the world are in God's sight, for God gives them often plentifully to His enemies. (3) That our present condition is no true prophecy of our future. Neither when we are rich or poor. (4) That there is something far better for them. They "shall behold God's face," etc. (5) That they must belike God, who does good to His enemies and them that hate Him (Matthew 5:44, 45). II. LIVING AND DYING, WHAT THE WICKED HAVE HERE IS THEIR ALL. 1. By their choice, they think this world best. 2. Their names are therefore written in earth as limited to it. 3. They are only fit for a portion in this life; and 4. They have abused their portion here, and shall never be tried with any other. 5. They are not the children of God by faith in Christ. 6. Having desired no more than the world, there is no more for them: only misery. III. UPON WHAT ACCOUNTS THEIR CONDITION MAY BE SAID TO BE MISERABLE. It is so because — 1. They hold their portion by so uncertain a tenure. 2. Without the added joy of the love of God. 3. And without Christ. 4. Without foundation for solid peace and comfort. For their sins are unpardoned; conscience alarms; the secret arm of God is on them (Deuteronomy 28:17). Then 5. Their prosperity tends to their destruction, leading them to forgetfulness both of God and heaven. 6. And will be succeeded by such awful misery. IV. WHENCE IS IT THAT SAINTS RECKON IT TO BE SO? Because — 1. They have found the world to be vanity and vexation of spirit. 2. And they see the end of all things approaching. But 3. They look by faith to another and over-enduring world. Application: 1. With what certainty may we infer a day of judgment from the wicked having now so large a share of outward good, whilst some of the heirs of heaven have scarce where to lay their heads. 2. They reckon without looking to the end who envy the men of the world (Psalm 73:18). 3. What reason have we to pity those on whom Christ's words will fall in their full weight (Luke 6:24). (D. Wilcox.) Parallel Verses KJV: From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. |
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