The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
Ver. 9. The righteous also shall hold on his way] Stumble he may for a time at his own calamity, and worse, men's felicity; but as he that stumbleth, and yet falleth not, gets ground, so fareth it with the righteous in this case. Once David said, "Verily, I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence; for all the day long have I been plagued," when bad men have been prospered. Hence he began to repent of his repentance, and to miscensure the generation of God's children as thrice miserable, Psalms 73:13,15; but after a while, and upon better consideration, he said, "This is mine infirmity"; yea, he fooled and beasted himself, Psalms 73:22, for so saying. And the like will all those at length do that belong to God; though for the present offended at God's proceedings, and by their passions miscarried to their cost, yet they return to their right minds; forwards they may fall sometimes, but not backwards, for that were far more dangerous. "Lord, to whom should we go," saith Peter, since "thou alone hast the words of eternal life?" John 6:68. Neither know we where to mend ourselves, by gadding about, to change our way, Jeremiah 2:36. The righteous shall hold on his way, mordicus tenebit, he shall hold it toughly, hold it as with tooth and nail, not going aside a nail's breadth; ανθεξεται, he shall stick to it, as the Greek hath it.
And he that hath clean hands] Upright, innocent, righteous, clean handed, these all are the good man's adjuncts and titles of honour, far beyond those of the world's greatest magnificent.
Shall be stronger and stronger] Heb. Shall add strength. Not only shall he hold his own, but get more grace; not only persevere, but proceed and make progress. He shall take boldness, Sumet audaciam, say the Septuagint, and (by a holy antiperistasis) Opposition or contrast of circumstances; the force of contrast or contrariness; resistance or reaction roused against any action. get heart of grace, as they call it, from the evil attempts of others against him; the more outrageous they the more courageous he; like as by St Paul's bonds many waxed confident, Philippians 1:14, and as the primitive Christians, the more they were killed up the more numerous they became. Plures efficimur quoties metimur (Tertul.). True zeal is of a most masculine and courageous nature; it is enkindled by quench coals, quickened by rubs and remoras. Baruch repaired earnestly, bursting out into heat, Nehemiah 3:20. Shall such a man as I flee? said that heavenly spark, Job 6:11. Shall I change my opinion, because hoc Ithacus velit? Remit my diligence, because of a frown or a trump? because such a persecutor threateneth me? Oh that I might enjoy those wild beasts prepared for my death! said Ignatius. Oh that I might have the maidenhead of that kind of suffering for Christ, said that martyr to Bonner, threatening to whip him, &c.