The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Ver. 10. The soul of the wicked desireth evil.] Sinful self-love, the chokeweed of all true love, prompteth the wicked man to envy the good, and wish the evil of all but himself. Hard hearted he is and inhuman, unless it be in a qualm of kindness (as Saul to David, the Egyptians to the Israelites), or merely in dissimulation, as John O'Neale, father to the Earl of Tyrone, that rebel (1598), inscribed himself in all places: I am great John O'Neale, friend to the Queen of England, and foe to all the world. a Eμου θανοντος γαια μιχθετω πυρι, said one wicked emperor; Eμου δε ζωυτος, said another, striving to outvie him: When I die, let the world be confounded. Nay, while I live let it be so, said the other monster. b
His neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.] Whether he sink or swim, it is no part of his care. What cares that churl Nabal though worthy David die at his door, so long as himself sits warm within, feeding on the fat and drinking of the sweet? The priests and the Levites saw the wounded man that lay half dead, and lent him no help. It was well they fell not upon him and despatched him, as dogs fall upon a man that is down; or, as when a deer is shot, the rest of the herd push him out of their company. Such cruel beasts David complains of; Psa 69:26 and such fierce savages St Paul foretells shall be in these last and worst days. Hard hearts shall make hard times. 2Ti 3:3
a Camden's Elizab.
b Dio.