Proverbs 21:12
The Righteous One[b] takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin.
The critical mistake of the wicked is to believe that he is keeping unobserved. Think of the image of law officials staking out a house hoping to see or hear something that might give evidence of the wicked’s guilt. The great challenge of the law is to come up with clear evidence and in a way that will be accepted in court. The wicked knows how to cover his tracks and use the legal system to suppress evidence.
But what he does not take into account is the Righteous One who observes his house even into its secret places, even into his own heart. His outwitting human justice only serves to blind him all the more to the justice that awaits him, whether it be on earth or after death. Ruin is his certain end precisely because all that he does, says, and thinks is observed by the Righteous One who is his Judge.
The tragedy is that his Judge could be his Savior and Advocate if he would but repent. His freedom is free for the receiving, but his pride over outwitting the “system” keeps him from seeing what even the simplest can see.
Psalm 34
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.