Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Ver. 34. Surely he scorneth the scorners.] Those proud haughty scorners Proverbs 21:24 1Pe 5:5 who jeer at this doctrine, and at those who believe it. Surely God scorneth these scorners, for he loves to retaliate; he that sitteth in heaven laughs a good a at them; Psa 2:4 he makes them also, in his just judgment, a derision to others, b and punisheth them with the common hatred of all: contempt being a thing that man's nature is most impatient of, and in carnal reason, tallying of injuries is but justice.
But he giveth grace to the lowly.] Though oppressed by scorners, yet shall they be no losers, for "God will give grace, and he will give glory" - grace and glory! what things be these? - "and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psa 84:11 Humility is both a grace and a vessel to receive grace. And as he that goeth into a pond or river to take up water puts the mouth of his vessel downward, and so takes it up; in like sort, he that looks for any good from God must put his mouth in the dust, and cry out, Lord, I am not worthy, &c. Non sum dignus, at sum indigens, "I am poor and needy, make haste unto me, O God." Psa 70:5
a [Sic.]
b Facit ut aliis sint ludibrio, ubi in calamitatem inciderint. - Rab. Levi.