Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:10, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
American Standard Version
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
World English Bible version
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
Proverbs 11:10 Meaning & Commentary
Let’s start by looking at the second part of this verse, which states that when the wicked perish, there are shouts of gladness. Have we not seen this across the earth in modern times? We see leaders rising in certain nations who are dictators and oppress people’s freedoms. These wicked leaders seem to have their time for a moment, but there comes a time when God removes them, and then there are shouts of gladness from the people around the nation and city. You see, no one enjoys being under the oppression of wicked people, not even wicked people themselves.
Now, to the first part of this verse. The Bible tells us that we are the salt of the earth: Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Salt is a preserving agent, just as we are in this world. If we look back to the Welsh Revival of the early 1900s, we see that when revival broke out and God poured His Spirit out on his people, there was a profound impact on the city, and the cities in Wales began to rejoice. There were accounts of crime in the city reduced to nothing. There were accounts of profanity and swearing silenced, courts empty, and more!
This is an example of what Proverbs 11:10 is talking about when it goes well with the righteous, the city will rejoice. The righteous people in a city are placed there for their benefit, but for the benefit of the city, and to bring God’s Kingdom into the city, which in turn causes great rejoicing, prosperity, peace, and joy in the city!
Application
We need to remind ourselves about the power we have to impact the city and the people where God has placed us. Jesus taught us to pray to God and ask for His Kingdom to come on earth and for His will to be done: Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. If Jesus taught us to pray a certain way, He would fully expect that the prayer would be answered. When God’s Kingdom comes, and His will is done on earth, this is when His righteousness prevails on earth and when the city rejoices! We also know that all presidents, prime ministers, and people in positions of authority are placed there by God and that He can direct their hearts as He wills.
Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. God does nothing without His people praying, however. So, we must actively pray for our leaders, cities, towns, and nations. We have a clear promise from God about Him healing our land, which will undoubtedly cause create rejoicing in our cities and our nations if we turn to Him in prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. This is a great promise and one that we can take hold of today and begin to pray and seek God.
As we do, Proverbs 11:10 begin coming to pass – The wicked will start to perish and be removed from their places of influence, we as God’s children will prosper, and it will go well with us, and there will be great rejoicing in the city from believers and non-believers!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the privilege of being able to partner with you on this earth to bring Your Kingdom and Your Will to pass. I pray and ask that you would increase my passion for prayer and Your Word.
I ask that your Kingdom come, and Your will be done in my city and nation so that all may see your goodness and righteousness and that there may be great rejoicing in the city. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
