THE REPROOF OF THE RIGHTEOUS

The psalmist had felt the attraction of worldly luxuries, the “dainties” of verse 4, and it seems that ungodly men had been trying to persuade him to throw in his lot with them. He prays to be kept from “the snares” and “the gins” of the wicked, v. 9; that he may be kept from sin in word and thought and deed, vv. 3, 4. At the same time, he had experienced the reproof of the godly, possibly such reproof not always being received with love. He therefore prays that he might welcome correction as kindness, and reproof as ointment and perfume which rejoice the heart, v. 5. “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel”, Prov. 27. 9. He declares that he would prefer to be severely handled by the righteous, rather than to be subtly pampered by the wicked.

Reproof is something that is trying to flesh and blood. The terms here are strong. The smiting is used as that of a hammer, Jud. 5. 26, or of an anvil, Isa. 41. 7. It is translated “beaten”, Prov. 23. 35, and “broken down”, Isa. 16. 8. The reproof included rebuke and correction. The psalmist knows that his frailties often need reproof. He needs to have his attention called to them and to be told of them. But by whom? “It is a question whether it is more difficult to accept reproof from those who know better than we, or from those who are not so good. The former should carry more weight; but the latter often carry more sting.” Well-meaning reproof should be acceptable and spiritually profitable to him. If the righteous reprove him, he is not to be proud and resistant, but to take their action as a kindness, as choice oil on his head intended for his welfare. Proverbs constantly insists on the value of reproof which the wise man welcomes and the fool resists; cf. 3. 11; 13. 18; 15. 5, 31, 32; 28. 23.

But what of those who administer the rebuke? They must not be those who see the mote in their brother’s eye, but have a plank in their own, Matt. 7. 4, 5. Their rebuke must be done in the spirit of love, for “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”, Prov. 27. 6. They must be characterized by humility. Let none who is unspiritual attempt such work, and when it is done, let it be done in a spirit of meekness, Gal. 6. 1.