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I. WHAT ARE THE DISCRIMINATING FEATURES WHICH DISTINGUISH THE RIGHTEOUS.

1. In describing the righteous, we must distinguish them —

(1) From the great mass of mankind, from the world that "lieth in wickedness" (Romans 3:10).

(2) From mere moralists, who trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others (Romans 10:3).

2. In describing the righteous, we characterize them.

(1) By the genuineness and spirituality of their faith. Righteous men are men of faith (Hebrews 11:3-7). Righteousness is obtained by faith (Romans 4:3, 5, 18, 20, 22; Galatians 3:6). But faith must have an object; this is the Lord Jesus Christ, who became sin for us.

(2) By the rectitude and purity of their principles.

(3) By the consistency of their conduct.

II. WHAT IS THAT REWARD TO WHICH THE RIGHTEOUS ARE ENTITLED?

1. A gracious and voluntary reward (Romans 6:23; Revelation 2:7, 10, 17).

2. Distant and remote.

3. Suitable and proportionate.

4. Glorious and eternal, and therefore worthy of its Author. In the descriptions of this reward we remark two things; a complete freedom from all evil, both moral and natural, and from all possibility of evil; and the eternal enjoyment of all the good of which their natures are capable.

III. WHAT EVIDENCES HAVE WE FOR CREDITING THE ASSERTION IN THE TEXT?

1. The character of God. He is a being of infinite goodness, and His goodness will incline Him to reward the righteous. He is a being of infinite justice, and His justice prompts Him to render to every man according to his works.

2. The positive declarations of Scripture (Genesis 15:1; Matthew 19:28, 29; Hebrews 11:6; Revelation 22:14).

3. The general consent of mankind.

(Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

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KJV: The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

WEB: The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;