Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just contrast approval and disapproval; it shows how abandoning God's way naturally leads to celebrating wickedness, while upholding it means actively resisting it. It's a powerful reminder that faithfulness isn't passive; it requires a posture of opposition to injustice.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb appears within a chapter that contrasts the righteous and the wicked, exploring their different paths and outcomes. It follows verses that link poverty with pride and violence, and precedes verses that speak about the integrity of rulers and the accountability of those who lend money. The immediate context sets up a clear division between those who follow God's principles and those who disregard them, highlighting how their attitudes toward morality itself become defining characteristics.
When Proverbs talks about 'the law,' what exactly does it mean? It's not just about following a list of commands.
The Heart of the Matter: God's Way
The "law" in Proverbs isn't solely referring to the Mosaic Law given to Israel. It represents God's established order, His principles for living a wise and righteous life. It's the deep-seated understanding of what is right and pleasing to God, guiding our thoughts, actions, and relationships.
When people "forsake the law," they are actively rejecting this divine blueprint. They are choosing a path of disobedience and turning away from God's wisdom. This isn't just a passive neglect; it's an active departure from the way of life God intends.
Why do those who disregard God's commands tend to cheer for those who also do wrong?
A Shared Disdain for Righteousness
Proverbs 28:4 reveals a deep connection between those who abandon God's law and their admiration for the wicked. It's not just a casual nod of approval; it's a praise that stems from a shared spirit. When you forsake God's way, you naturally gravitate towards those who are also on that path.
This praise for the wicked is rooted in a love for iniquity itself. The wicked are a 'reproach' to those who try to live righteously, so the lawless find comfort and encouragement in seeing others join their ranks. Their approval of the wicked is, in essence, an approval of sin and a rejection of God's standards.
Ask a follow-up
What does it look like to actively push back against wickedness when the world around you seems to celebrate it?
Standing Firm in Truth
The contrast to praising the wicked is found in those who "keep the law." They don't just passively follow God's commands; they actively "strive against" the wicked. This isn't about personal animosity, but about a deep-seated commitment to righteousness that compels them to oppose ungodliness.
This striving can take many forms: it might be a firm rebuke, a public stand against injustice, or a consistent life that sets a different example. It's a righteous indignation that arises when God's law is scorned. They are moved to contend with wrongdoers, not out of anger, but out of a fervent desire to see God's truth upheld, sometimes even seeking the repentance of those who stray.
Understand the original words
torah · Hebrew Noun
The revealed will and instructions of God, serving as the standard for holiness and conduct. It is the framework through which believers live in accordance with God's nature.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment, noting that those who practice wickedness not only commit evil deeds themselves but also approve of and delight in others who do the same.
Psalm 15:4This Psalm describes the character of one who may dwell with God, highlighting that they despise those who are wicked and honor those who fear the Lord, directly contrasting the behavior described in Proverbs 28:4.
1 John 3:12This verse speaks to the Cain-like nature of sibling murder, but the underlying principle relates to how wickedness can lead one to hate goodness and even advocate for evil, similar to how forsaking God's law leads to praising the wicked.
Galatians 5:17This passage contrasts the desires of the flesh with the desires of the Spirit, showing how those aligned with the flesh often clash with righteous living, mirroring the 'contending' aspect of those who uphold God's law against the wicked.
pooleProverbs 28:4: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them."
They that forsake the law, that live in the contempt of and disobedience to God’s law, praise the wicked; honour their persons, contrary to Psalm 15:4 ; freely and familiarly associate themselves with them, and approve of their sinful courses; all which proceeds from their great likeness to them. Contend with them; are so far from praising or applauding them, that they severely rebuke them,…
clarkeProverbs 28:4: "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them."
They that forsake the law - He that transgresses says, in fact, that it is right to transgress; and thus other wicked persons are encouraged.
The verse doesn't just contrast approval and disapproval; it shows how abandoning God's way naturally leads to celebrating wickedness, while upholding it means actively resisting it. It's a powerful reminder that faithfulness isn't passive; it requires a posture of opposition to injustice.
This proverb appears within a chapter that contrasts the righteous and the wicked, exploring their different paths and outcomes. It follows verses that link poverty with pride and violence, and precedes verses that speak about the integrity of rulers and the accountability of those who lend money. The immediate context sets up a clear division between those who follow God's principles and those who disregard them, highlighting how their attitudes toward morality itself become defining characteristics.
This proverb appears within a chapter that contrasts the righteous and the wicked, exploring their different paths and outcomes. It follows verses that link poverty with pride and violence, and precedes verses that speak about the integrity of rulers and the accountability of those who lend money. The immediate context sets up a clear division between those who follow God's principles and those who disregard them, highlighting how their attitudes toward morality itself become defining characteristics.
"Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them." — The verse doesn't just contrast approval and disapproval; it shows how abandoning God's way naturally leads to celebrating wickedness, while upholding it means actively resisting it. It's a powerful…
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Last reviewed October 2026