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20. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. {rooted: or, plucked up}
Here is the consummating blessing of engrafted wisdom. Not only does it deliver from evil men; but it guides us into the way of good men. Clad with this Divine armour, thou shalt have courage, like Joseph, to turn thy face from the enchantment of Sin (Genesis 39:9, 10), and keep the paths of the righteous, rugged indeed, yet the only paths of rest and security. (Song of Songs 1:7, 8. Jeremiah 6:16.) Thus shalt thou dwell and remain in the land, as its original inheritor (Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34. Matthew 5:5); having the best portion in earth, and an infinitely better portion in heaven; while the wicked and transgressors, though they may “enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,” shall be ultimately cut off, rooted out, and “driven away” into everlasting ruin. (Chapter 10:30; 14:32; 15:25. Psalm 52:5-7; 92:7. Matthew 3:10.)
And now, what serious reader of this chapter can fail to estimate above all price the privilege of being early enlisted under the banner of the cross; early taught in the ways, and disciplined in the school, of the Bible; and early led to hide that blessed book in the heart, as the rule of life, the principle of holiness, the guide to heaven!
Parents, sponsors, teachers of youth; ponder your deep responsibility with unceasing prayer for special grace and wisdom. Beware of glossing over sins with amiable or palliating terms. Let young people be always led to look upon vicious habits with horror, as the most appalling evil. Discipline their vehemence of feeling, and all ill-regulated excitement. Keep out of sight, as far as may be, books calculated to inflame the imagination. To give an impulse to the glowing passion may stimulate the rising corruption to the most malignant fruitfulness. Oh! what wisdom is needed to guide, to repress, to bring forth, develope safely, and to improve fully, the mind, energies, and sensibilities of youth!
Young man! beware! Do not flatter thyself for a moment, that God will ever wink at your sinful passions; that he will allow for them, as slips and foibles of youth. They are the “Cords of your own sins,” which, if the power of God's grace break them not in time, will “hold” you for eternity. (Chapter 5:22.) Shun then the society of sin, as the infection of the plague. Keep thy distance from it, as from the pit of destruction. Store thy mind with the preservative of heavenly wisdom. Cultivate the taste for purer pleasures. Listen to the fatherly, pleading remonstrance, inviting thee to thy rest — “Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, ‘My Father! Thou art the guide of my youth?’” (Jeremiah 3:4.)
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