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6. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
There is always a snare in the ways of sin; always a song in the ways of God. Which then are “the ways of pleasantness and peace”?† The light-hearted sinner goes on in his flowery path. Soon he is “taken captive in the snare of the devil;”† often in a snare of his own toil.† Transgression is in fact the snare of the soul. Is it not wisdom to avoid a snare? Sinner — Think a moment. What are “the pleasures of sin” to the pleasures of Paradise? Remember — Sin and ruin are bound together; and who can put them asunder?
The righteous may be in the same outward lot with the evil man. But wide indeed is the gulf between their respective states. (Isaiah 65:13, 14.) Joseph's brethren in prison, under the sting of conscience, sink in despondency. Paul and Silas in prison did sing and rejoice.† Little, however, can be judged by their external state. The ungodly are in prosperity, and the children of God “chastened every morning” (Psalm 73:14); yet rising triumphant in the deepest exercise — “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; though I fall, I shall rise again; though I sit in darkness” — my cause apparently forgotten, my light obscured, my character defamed — “the LORD shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8.) What is it to be possessor of all the promises of God? The wealth of this golden mine no tongue of man can express; no mind of angel comprehend. And how abundant is the solid ground and material of this rejoicing! The completeness of the Savior's work; his constant love; the fullness of his Spirit; the sufficiency of his grace; his faithful promise; his watchful eye; his ready help; his perpetual intercession; and all this joy — not like that of the world, flowing and ebbing; but heightening and overflowing through all eternity.
But the righteous also sing — and only they. Yet often they have no skill for the song. Their harp is upon the willows, as if they could not “sing the LORD's song in a strange land.” (Psalm 137:4.) Unbelief remains unchecked. The promises therefore are so faintly applied, that distrust outweighs all encouragement. Their brighter seasons were enjoyed rather than improved. No materials were laid up as principles of life, love, and devotedness. And therefore “in the cloudy and dark day” they lose their time in feeble complaints, instead of striving for life.
Is it not worth pursuing this dishonorable evil to its sources, whether remote or proximate? Are we incapacitated, or only disinclined, to sing? Seek a clearer exercise of faith, to rouse from indolence, and to remove mistaken apprehensions. And in the active energy of faith, repent, return, watch and pray, mortify besetting sins. Enquire seriously — Are the materials for our song passed away? our stated grounds for praise sunk? Are there not a countless number of mercies yet remaining, and preserved entire, sufficient to swallow up the smart of the most bitter dispensation? Let faith be employed in putting them together, and counting them over; and surely under the deepest gloom that ever could rest upon the soul, the harp would be taken down from the willows, “and the righteous would sing and rejoice.”†
Add to which — Not only are these mercies left, while others are removed. But to the watchful eye of dutiful, affectionate faith, the value of our heavenly Father's kindness continued to us, is seen in a clearer light, and more deeply enjoyed. And never is his grace seen so cheering , so triumphant, as when it raises us above our trials, and enables us to take up the song of victory on the field of battle;† rebuking unbelief far away, and strengthening our confidence for renewed conflict.
And indeed even in the most sinking frame, when wounded and disheartened with the sense of our own guilt and follies — Oh! we must be ignorant of the alphabet of the gospel; if, when we have told up the fearful account, and magnified it to its utmost — we do not grasp the glorious word — “Where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound.” (Romans 5:20.) Can we then want materials for our song? Shall not our harp reach an higher pitch? Praised be God! We are hasting to a world, where it will never be unstrung, the heart never out of tune, and the song ever new, when we shall rejoice and sing without one faltering note in our song; without one jarring note in the song of our brethren.†
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