Proverbs 29:16

“When the wicked are multiplied, etc.] Or “are in authority”f812; as the word is rendered, (<202902>Proverbs 29:2); transgression increaseth; among the common people, being encouraged by their wicked rulers, whose examples they follow; or as the wicked themselves increase, in numbers, in age, in power, and riches, their sins increase too; but the righteous shall see their fall, from their places of authority and power, of honour, riches, and grandeur, into a low and despicable condition, into ruin and destruction; and that with pleasure, because of the glory of God, his wisdom, justice, truth, and faithfulness, displayed therein; (see <195810>Psalm 58:10).”

“(Compare Pro 29:2, Pro 29:12; Psa 12:1-8). shall see . . . fall--and triumph in it (Psa 37:34-38; Psa 58:10-11).”

“the wicked: Pro 29:2 \*marg. but: Psa 37:34, Psa 37:36, Psa 58:10, Psa 91:8, Psa 92:9, Psa 92:11, Psa 112:8; Rev 15:4, Rev 18:20 Proverbs 29:17”

“16 When the godless increase, wickedness increaseth; But the righteous shall see their fall. The lxx translation is not bad: πολλῶν ὄντων ἀσεβῶν πολλαὶ γίνονται ἁμαρτίαι (vid., regarding רבה, Pro 29:2, Pro 28:28); but in the main it is only a Binsenwahrheit, as they say in Swabia, i.e., a trivial saying. The proverb means, that if among a people the party of the godless increases in number, and at the same time in power, wickedness, i.e., a falling away into sins of thought and conduct, and therewith wickedness, prevails. When irreligion and the destruction of morals thus increase, the righteous are troubled; but the conduct of the godless carries the judgment in itself, and the…”