The way of the just is uprightness - The Hebrew is literally, ‹The way to the just is uprightness;‘ the word ‹way‘ probably refers to God‘s way, or his dealings with the righteous. The sentiment is, that his dealings with them are just; that though they are afflicted and oppressed, yet that his ways are right, and they will yet perceive it. This is language supposed to be used by the captive Jews after they had seen the proud city of Babylon taken, and after God had come forth to restore them to their own land. The word ‹uprightness‘ in the original is in the plural number, but is often used in the sense of straightness Proverbs 23:31; Psalm 9:9; Psalm 58:2; Psalm 99:4.
Thou most upright - Evidently an address to God, as being most just, and as having now evinced his uprightness in the deliverance of his people. The same epithet is applied to him in Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 25:8; 92:16.
Dost weigh the path of the just - The word used here (פלס pâlac ) may mean to weigh as in a balance Psalm 58:3; but it may also mean, and does usually, to make straight or smooth; to beat a path; to make level Psalm 78:50; Proverbs 4:26; Proverbs 5:21. Here it probably means, that God had made the way smooth, or exactly level. He had removed all obstacles, and had conducted his people in a plain and leveled way (see the notes at Isaiah 40:3-4).
God weighs motives, purposes, character. All men are weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and God would have all realize this fact. Hannah said, “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:3. David hath said, “Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.” Psalm 62:9. Isaiah says: “Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.” Isaiah 26:7.... OHC 139.3
Read in context »The Lord is a God of knowledge. In His Word, He is represented as weighing men, their development of character, and all their motives, whether they be good or evil. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, the child granted her by God in answer to her earnest entreaty, said, “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed” (1 Samuel 2:3). David declared, “Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity” (Psalm 62:9). Isaiah says, “Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just” (Isaiah 26:7). Solomon writes, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits” (Proverbs 16:2). It is for the eternal interest of everyone to search his own heart and to improve every God-given faculty. UL 53.2
Read in context »Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, said, “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed” (1 Samuel 2:3). David says, “Men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity” (Psalm 62:9). Isaiah declares, “Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just” (Isaiah 26:7). And Solomon writes, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirit” (Proverbs 16:2). UL 207.5
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