The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Ver. 9. The way of the wicked is abomination.] Not his sacrifices only, but his civilities; all his actions - natural, moral, recreative, religious - are offensive to all God's senses, as the word signifies. The very "ploughing of the wicked is sin": Pro 21:4 all they do is defiled, yea, their "very consciences." 2Ti 1:15 Their hearts, like some filthy bog or fen, or like the lake of Sodom, send up continual poisonous vapours unto God: and he, not able to abide them, sends down eftsoons a counterpoison of plagues and punishments. Psa 11:6 Rom 1:18
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.] Although he fulfil not all righteousness, yet if he make after it with might and main, as the word signifies, if he pursue it and have it in chase, as ravenous creatures have their prey, "if by any means he may attain to the resurrection of the dead"; Php 3:11 that is, that height of holiness that accompanieth the resurrection: this is the man whom God loves. Now God's love is not an empty love; it is not like the winter sun, that casts a goodly countenance when it shines, but gives little warmth and comfort. "Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness; those that remember thee in thy ways," Isa 64:5 "that think upon thy commandments to do them," Psa 103:20 qui faciunt praecepta, etsi non perficiant, a that are weak but willing, θελοντες, Heb 13:18 that are lifting at the latch, though they cannot do up the door: "Surely, shall every such one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength." Isa 45:24 "Righteousness," that is, mercy to those that come over to him, and "strength" to enable them to come, as the sea sends out waters to fetch us to it.
a Augustin.