Conspiracy in the Heart of the Wicked

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Their feet run to evil! This is reminiscent of Proverbs 6:18 “...feet that be swift in running to mischief.” This is one of the seven things God hates and no one who practices such a lifestyle will prosper. Evil will not depart from their own house Proverbs 17:13 (remember they are pursuing the innocent Proverbs 1:11)

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

Workers of evil make their plans in secret; if the bird sees the trap then the trap has been set in vain. They conspire in secrecy because they do not want their victims to see the trap and escape. They lay a trap secretly; they set a trap for the righteous but they do not realize that in setting a trap for the righteous they are in fact ensnaring themselves - Proverbs 1:18

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

We have no doubt heard the term “Poetic justice”; a loose interpretation of that phrase is “they got what they deserved”. In V:16 it says they lie in wait for innocent blood but in v:18 it says they lie in wait for their own blood; the author says this because a mans deed returns upon him! It is a wise man or woman indeed who has come to appreciate that as we treat others so will we be treated. If we are in need of mercy in our own lives then it behooves us to be merciful to others and so it is with each virtue, practice that virtue on others and you will find that is the treatment that it dispensed from the hand of the Lord to you.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Now we see the real motivation of these evildoers, they are greedy of gain! Their motivation is to rob and to steal money, position, affluence, recognition, praise, power etc... Proverbs 1:18 an evil force turns on them and takes revenge on the evildoer. They swallow up men’s souls only to have circumstances turn against them and consume them. Be assured in your heart, no one escapes retribution (Psalm 73:1-28 is an account of the wicked and the true).