Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28:4

The following is adapted from Matthew Henry's commentary.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

Proverbs 28:4

Those who praise the wicked make it to appear that they do themselves forsake the law, and go contrary to it, for that curses and condemns the wicked. Wicked people will speak well of one another, and so strengthen one another's hands in their wicked ways, hoping thereby to silence the clamors of their own consciences and to serve the interests of the devil's kingdom, which is not done by anything so effectually as by keeping vice in reputation.

Those who do indeed make conscience of the law of God themselves will, in their places, vigorously oppose sin, and bear their testimony against it, and do what they can to shame and suppress it. They will reprove the works of darkness, and silence the excuses which are made for those works, and do what they can to bring gross offenders to punishment, that others may hear and fear.