God’s people derive much comfort from the knowledge that the way of godliness is not only a life of obedience, but is a way that brings them finally to life. It is a safe path and the very best way to navigate the dangerous waters of this world. By following this way they avoid the unseen rocks of moral shipwreck beneath the surface, and are piloted through the narrow channels safely into the harbour. They come ever closer to their destination where life is given to them in all its glory. They may pass through mists and darkness, but righteousness is their compass guiding them surely in the right direction past dangers they are only dimly aware of. It is by the wise government of God that these two things are linked so that righteousness day by day is profitable even though there are so many uncertainties about life in this world. The word ‘tendeth’ is supplied but fits well, for a stronger word like ‘leads’ would not allow for the many times when we cannot see clearly where our path is going. In spite of this the righteous are getting ever nearer to their destination and have great cause to rejoice. But the wicked man also has a purpose in mind, and pursues it with great diligence. Like the righteous he is also moving towards a destination, but in this case it is a very unwelcome one. Like the destination of the righteous, God has linked it inseparably to a certain way of life. So much so that one could almost say that the wicked are pursuing death in all their life’s choices. This is the point of the proverb, for he who pursues evil gets exactly what he did not want, for the sake of the evil that he did want. There is no nice side to sin; what seems acceptable is exposed in all its ugliness by the end it brings. Therefore the righteous alone are realists.