Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good.
Ver. 22. Do they not err that devise evil?] Heb., That plough it and plot it, that dig it and delve it, that whet their wits and beat their brains about it - do not these err? Are they not heavenly wide, a utterly out? Shall they not miss their purpose, and meet with disappointment? Witness those Babel-builders, Gen 11:1-9 those kill-Christs, Psa 2:1-12 those state traitors, Sheba, Shebna, &c., various English traitors who drew their last thread in the triangle of Tyburn. Knute, the first Danique king, caused the false Edric's head to be set on the highest part of the Tower of London, therein performing his promise of advancing him above any lord in the land. b Traitors always become odious, though the treason be commodious. Philip, Duke of Austria, paid the ambassadors of Charles IV, who had betrayed their trust, in counterfeit coin, whereof, when they complained, he answered, that false coin was good enough for false knaves. c James I, King of Scots, was murdered in Perth by Walter, Earl of Athol, in hope to attain the crown; but his hopes failed him. Crowned, indeed, he was, but with a crown of red-hot iron clapt upon his head, being one of the tortures wherewith he ended at once his wicked days and devices. d
But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.] Mercy and truth were the best that David could wish to his fast friend, Ittai. 2Sa 15:20 These two attributes of God shall cause that good devices shall not miscarry. His mercy moves him to promise, his truth binds him to perform. "For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these things." 2 Samuel 7:18 ; 2Sa 7:21 "According to thine own heart"; that is, of mere mercy, out of pure and unexcited love, thou didst give thy word and promise, and "for thy word's sake" thou hast performed it.
a Toto errant caelo.
b Daniel's Hist., 19.
c Parei Hist., prof. medul., 769.
d Hect. Boeth.