Key Verse: Verse 5 - “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”
Key Words: thou hatest all workers of iniquity
The word iniquity carries the idea of “a gross injustice.” Iniquity is so hated in the eyes of God that He says in Psalm 66:18, that if we ever regard iniquity in our heart that He will not hear us. The person of iniquity will never have the “ear” of God
The great American hero, editor, schoolteacher, and Presbyterian clergyman Elijah Lovejoy left the pulpit and returned to the press in order to be sure his words reached more people. The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more like him. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was committed forever to fighting uncompromisingly the awful sin of slavery. Mob action was brought against him time after time, neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him.. Repeated destruction of his presses did not stop him. “If by compromise is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more than I fear man. Crush me if you will. But I shall die at my post…” And he did, four days later, at the hands of another mob. Not one of the ruffians was prosecuted or indicted or punished in any way for this murder. (Some of Lovejoy’s defenders were prosecuted! One of the mob assassins was later elected mayor of Alton!)
However, note this: One young man was around who was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom. He had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
It’s always wise to do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!
✞ Remember to do an injustice is more disgraceful than to suffer it.
