◄ Proverbs 11:10 ►
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
Study Bible
When the righteous thrive
The Hebrew word for "righteous" is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), which refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. In the context of ancient Israel, the righteous were seen as the backbone of society, upholding justice and morality. The word "thrive" suggests prosperity and flourishing, not just in material wealth but in spiritual and communal well-being. This phrase indicates that when those who are aligned with God's will prosper, it brings about a positive transformation in society, reflecting God's blessings and favor.

the city rejoices
The term "city" in Hebrew is "עִיר" (ir), which in ancient times was not just a place of residence but a center of culture, commerce, and governance. The rejoicing of the city implies a collective sense of joy and celebration. Historically, cities in the biblical era were often fortified and served as hubs of safety and community life. When the righteous thrive, it leads to stability and peace, causing the entire community to experience joy. This joy is not merely emotional but is rooted in the security and prosperity that righteousness brings.

and when the wicked perish
The word "wicked" is translated from the Hebrew "רָשָׁע" (rasha), referring to those who act in opposition to God's laws, often causing harm and injustice. The phrase "when the wicked perish" suggests a divine justice where those who perpetuate evil and corruption are removed. This is not a call for personal vengeance but an acknowledgment of God's ultimate justice. In the biblical context, the removal of the wicked is seen as a necessary step for the restoration of order and righteousness in society.

there are shouts of joy
The Hebrew word for "shouts" is "רִנָּה" (rinah), which conveys a loud, jubilant cry of victory or celebration. This expression of joy is communal, indicating that the downfall of the wicked is a cause for public celebration. It reflects a deep-seated belief in the triumph of good over evil and the establishment of God's justice. In the historical and scriptural context, such shouts of joy would accompany significant victories or deliverances, reinforcing the community's faith in God's providence and righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Righteous
In the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live according to God's laws and principles. They are characterized by integrity, justice, and a commitment to doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

2. The Wicked
These are individuals who live in opposition to God's commands, often engaging in deceit, injustice, and immorality. Their actions bring harm and unrest to the community.

3. The City
Represents the broader community or society. In ancient times, cities were centers of commerce, culture, and governance, and the well-being of a city was closely tied to the character of its inhabitants.

4. Rejoicing and Shouts of Joy
These expressions indicate the collective emotional response of a community. Rejoicing occurs when the community experiences peace and prosperity, while shouts of joy accompany the removal of negative influences.
Teaching Points
The Impact of Righteousness on Society
Righteous living contributes to the overall well-being and joy of a community. When individuals uphold justice and integrity, it creates an environment where others can thrive.

The Consequences of Wickedness
Wickedness leads to societal unrest and harm. The removal of wicked influences brings relief and joy, as it allows for the restoration of peace and order.

The Role of Community in Moral Accountability
Communities have a responsibility to uphold and encourage righteousness. Collective rejoicing or lamentation reflects the shared values and moral compass of the society.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
Leaders who embody righteousness can transform a community, leading to prosperity and joy. Conversely, wicked leaders bring about distress and turmoil.

Personal Responsibility in Community Well-being
Each individual contributes to the moral fabric of their community. Personal choices and actions have a ripple effect, influencing the overall atmosphere and health of the society.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the presence of righteous individuals in a community lead to collective joy and prosperity?

2. In what ways can we, as individuals, contribute to the thriving of our own communities?

3. Reflect on a time when the removal of a negative influence brought relief or joy to a group or community you were part of. What lessons can be drawn from that experience?

4. How can we encourage and support godly leadership within our communities and churches?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our personal actions align with the principles of righteousness and contribute positively to our society?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 29:2
This verse also contrasts the effects of righteous and wicked leadership on a community, highlighting the joy and peace that come with righteous governance.

Psalm 37:37-38
These verses emphasize the ultimate peace and future of the righteous compared to the destruction of the wicked, reinforcing the theme of community well-being tied to moral character.

Isaiah 60:18
This passage speaks of a future where violence and destruction are absent, and salvation and praise characterize the city, aligning with the joy experienced when righteousness prevails.
Sermons
Joy in the Fate of the WickedJ. L. Nye.Proverbs 11:10
The Public Conscience in Relation to Moral CharacterHomilistProverbs 11:10
The Tribute to RighteousnessJ. Parker,D.D.Proverbs 11:10
The Ways of Honour and of ShameE. Johnson Proverbs 11:1-11
The Pricelessness of IntegrityE. Johnson Proverbs 11:3-5, 8-11, 19, 20, 28, 31
Two Sad Aspects of DeathE. Johnson Proverbs 11:7-10
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cries, Death, Destruction, Exulteth, Glad, Gladness, Goes, Joy, Joyful, Perish, Prosper, Rejoices, Rejoiceth, Righteous, Shouting, Shouts, Singing, Sinners, Town, Upright, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 11:10

     5481   proverb
     5528   shouting

Library
The Present Recompense
Chester Cathedral, Nave Service, Evening. May 1872. Proverbs xi. 31. "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." This is the key-note of the Book of Proverbs--that men are punished or rewarded according to their deeds in this life; nay, it is the key-note of the whole Old Testament. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers; the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil, to root out …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

The Waterer Watered
A sermon (No. 626) delivered on Sunday Morning, April 23, 1865, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "He that watereth shall be watered also himself."--Proverbs 11:25. The general principle is that in living for the good of others, we shall be profited also ourselves. We must not isolate our own interests, but feel that we live for others. This teaching is sustained by the analogy of nature, for in nature there is a law that no one thing can be independent of the rest of …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Withholding Corn
A sermon (No. 642) delivered on Sunday morning, July 30, 1865, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it."--Proverbs 11:26. If I dared, I should always preach upon the comfortable promises and gracious doctrines of God's Word. I find it most delightful and easy work to expatiate upon those themes of revelation which abound in sweetness, and are full of savor and preciousness …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Soul Winner
A sermon (No. 1292) delivered on Thursday evening, January 20th, 1876, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."--Proverbs 11:30. I had very great joy last night--many of you know why but some do not. We held our annual meeting of the church, and it was a very pleasant sight to see so many brethren and sisters knit together in the heartiest love, welded together as one mass by common sympathies, …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Soul Winning
A sermon (No. 850) delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "He that winneth souls is wise."--Proverbs 11:30. The text does not say "he that winneth sovereigns is wise," though no doubt he thinks himself wise, and perhaps in a certain grovelling sense in these days of competition he must be so; but such wisdom is of the earth and ends with the earth; and there is another world where the currencies of Europe will not be accepted, nor their past possession be any sign …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. THE most common definition of wisdom is, that it is the choice of the best end and the selection of the most appropriate means for the accomplishment of that end--the best adaptation of means to secure a desired end. "He that winneth souls," God says, "is wise." The object of this evening's lecture is to direct Christians in the use of means for accomplishing their infinitely desirable end, the salvation of souls. To-night I shall confine my …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

A Wise Minister Will be Successful.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. I PREACHED last Friday evening from the same text, on the method of dealing with sinners by private Christians. My object at this time is to take up the more public means of grace, with particular reference to the DUTIES OF MINISTERS. As I observed in my last lecture, wisdom is the choice and pursuit of the best end by the most appropriate means. The great end for which the Christian Ministry was appointed, is to glorify God in the salvation …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

How to Preach the Gospel.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. ONE of the last remarks in my last lecture, was this, that the text ascribes conversion to men. Winning souls is converting men. This evening I design to show, I. That several passages of Scripture ascribe conversion to men. II. That this is consistent with other passages which ascribe conversion to God. III. I purpose to discuss several further particulars which are deemed important, in regard to the preaching of the Gospel, and which show …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of, …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will …
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus

George Muller, and the Secret of His
POWER IN PRAYER WHEN God wishes anew to teach His Church a truth that is not being understood or practised, He mostly does so by raising some man to be in word and deed a living witness to its blessedness. And so God has raised up in this nineteenth century, among others, George Muller to be His witness that He is indeed the Hearer of prayer. I know of no way in which the principal truths of God's word in regard to prayer can be more effectually illustrated and established than a short review …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which Christian Love...
We shall not be curious in the ranking of the duties in which Christian love should exercise itself. All the commandments of the second table are but branches of it: they might be reduced all to the works of righteousness and of mercy. But truly these are interwoven through other. Though mercy uses to be restricted to the showing of compassion upon men in misery, yet there is a righteousness in that mercy, and there is mercy in the most part of the acts of righteousness, as in not judging rashly, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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