Psalm 11:5 The LORD tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates. I. THE CHARACTERS TRIED — the righteous. This word righteous is used for two reasons. 1. Because in God's sight they are such. 2. Because they are such in the sight of men. II. THE VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH THE RIGHTEOUS ARE TRIED. They have their natural dispositions even as other men. Though trials come to all, they differ in character, and are proportioned in degree. Christians are tried when — 1. They are led to investigate the character and tendency of their life. 2. When special and direct afflictions are sent. 3. When alterations and changes in our family circumstances occur. 4. When temptations of a trying character are permitted to come in their way. III. THE ENDS THAT ARE TO BE ANSWERED BY THESE TRIALS. There is nothing purposeless in the plans of God. We are tried — 1. That we may be corrected. 2. That we may be proved. 3. That we may be purified.Learn to recognise the Lord's hand in our trials, and to distinguish between the results of our own folly and God's chastisements. Let us rejoice in the anticipation of a world without sorrow, the "unsuffering kingdom" of our Lord. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.WEB: Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates. |
    |