Proverbs 28:4 Meaning: Why Praising Evil Abandons God's Law
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, Those keeping the law plead against them.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
Meaning in one sentence
What does 'praise the wicked' mean? Proverbs 28:4 shows that those who reject God's instruction approve of wrongdoing, while the faithful oppose it.
Context
Proverbs 28 is a collection of wise sayings that contrast two ways of living: the way that honors God’s instruction and the way that rejects it. Throughout the chapter, the theme of justice runs strong. This verse lands in the middle of a sequence that connects how we treat the poor, how we govern, and how we respond to evil. The writer wants us to see that our attitude toward God’s law shapes our attitude toward people who break it. Praising them and resisting them are not just personal opinions; they reveal what we really believe about God’s commands.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for praise here is halal, the same root as hallelujah. But in this verse it carries a dark tone: to commend or approve of someone who does evil. When we applaud a shady deal or laugh at a cruel remark, we are praising the wicked without saying a word. Keep comes from shamar, a word used for guarding a treasure or watching over a covenant. Keeping God’s law is not passive; it is an active protection of what is precious. And contend translates garah, which means to stir up strife, to engage in conflict. It is not about being quarrelsome for its own sake. It is the deep stirring that cannot stay silent when wrong is celebrated. Your words and your silence both draw a line. Which side are you standing on?
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions agree that praise here means giving approval to those who break God’s instruction. Matthew Henry (Reformed) notes that wicked people speak well of one another to strengthen their hands in evil. Baptist scholar John Gill describes how one covetous person praises another’s greed as prudence. The Anglican Cambridge Bible observes that the law is not limited to the Mosaic code but refers to divine instruction in its broadest sense. The Wesleyan tradition emphasizes that contending involves severe reproof. Most see the verse as a call to align ourselves with God’s standards, not with those who disregard them.
A common misunderstanding
Some people read this verse as commanding us to be hostile and aggressive toward sinful people. In fact, the verse is about opposing the approval of evil, not attacking individuals. The word contend involves rebuking wrongdoing and standing against unjust actions, not treating sinners with contempt. The goal is to call them back, not to push them away.
Living This Out
This week, pay attention to the small approvals you give. A laugh at a cruel joke. A nod at a shady deal. A silence when someone mocks integrity. Each one is a quiet praise of the wicked. But you can also notice the deeper calling: to stand, gently and firmly, for what is right. You don’t need to be loud. You just need to be clear. Keep the law by loving what is good, and let your life say no to what is evil.
Main takeaway: To praise evil is to abandon God’s instruction; to oppose it is to hold fast to Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God wants us to say no to wrong things. If someone is being mean or doing something bad, we shouldn’t say ‘Good job!’ We should love what is right.
For ages 9, 12
This verse says that when people turn away from God’s rules, they end up cheering for people who do wrong. But when we follow God’s instruction, we stand up for what is right. That doesn’t mean being mean to anyone. It means not going along with bad things, even when it’s hard. God’s Word helps us know what to cheer for.
Questions People Ask
What does 'praise the wicked' mean in Proverbs 28:4?
It means to speak well of, commend, or approve of those who do evil. The Hebrew word halal can mean to praise, but here it carries the sense of endorsing wrongdoing. When we applaud or excuse sinful behavior, we are in effect encouraging it.
What is 'the law' in Proverbs 28:4?
The word is torah, which means instruction or teaching. In Proverbs, it often refers to God's revealed wisdom and commands. The Cambridge Bible notes that it is not limited to the Mosaic law but includes divine instruction in its broadest sense.
How should Christians 'contend with' the wicked today?
The Hebrew verb garah means to stir up strife, to engage in conflict. But the New Testament context calls for speaking the truth in love. Contending involves rebuking evil and standing for righteousness, but always with the goal of restoration, not personal attack.
Does this verse mean we should be angry at sinners?
It is not about personal anger or hatred. The verse contrasts approving of evil with opposing it. Christians are called to love the sinner while hating the sin. Contending with the wicked means resisting their harmful actions and calling them to repentance.
What is the connection between forsaking the law and praising the wicked?
When we reject God's instruction, we naturally align with those who also reject it. Praising the wicked is a symptom of abandoning God's standard. Conversely, keeping the law leads us to oppose evil, because God's Word shapes our values and actions.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study