Proverbs 21:15

It is joy to the just to do Judgment.

The pleasure of doing right

The text virtually says, When good magistrates discharge their trust faithfully, and execute justice impartially, all honest and good men are greatly rejoiced at it, but it brings a sore terror and consternation upon the workers of iniquity.

I. It is a great pleasure to a just man to do justice.

1. Because it is acting according to his own inclinations. It is always pleasant to a man to pursue the natural or habitual inclinations of his mind. Even evil and naughty inclinations make it pleasant in some degree for the time to act according to them.

2. Because he knows that he does well in so doing, and that his action is approved by Almighty God.

3. Because of the assured hope it gives him of God’s favour, who is evermore a lover and rewarder of the upright.

4. Because it is a high honour done him by Almighty God to be employed in doing part of His work. For it is God that is the great doer of justice to all His creatures.

II. It is a great pleasure to the spectators, if they be righteous and good men, to see good magistrates faithfully discharging their duty in the execution of justice.

1. Because this is a thing so very necessary and so beneficial to mankind.

2. There are some particular eases wherein it is more especially a pleasant thing to do justice or to see it well done.

III. The execution of justice is terrible to evil-doers. It must needs be so, since it is they who suffer by it.

IV. Injustice and wickedness will most certainly bring a man to ruin without repentance. In this world it cannot otherwise be but some will escape from justice, as it is executed by men. There is One above whom no man can deceive, none can bribe, who will not fail to do right to all. This doctrine will afford us motives sufficient to the duties which all or any of us are now called to.

1. To choose such a magistrate as we believe will be faithful to the trust reposed in him.

2. To discharge the great trust of magistracy accordingly, and so as to answer the hopes and expectations of good men.

3. To be aiding and assisting in the doing thereof, which is every one’s duty as he has ability and opportunity.

4. To behave ourselves so that a good magistrate faithfully discharging his trust may be no terror, but a joy and comfort to us. (Samuel Barton, D. D.)