When the wicked are multiplied - That, in the multiplication of the wicked transgression is increased, requires no proof; but an important doctrine attaches to this. On this account wicked nations and wicked families are cut off and rooted out. Were it not so righteousness would in process of time be banished from the earth. This will account for many of the numerous instances in which whole families fail.

When the wicked are multiplied,.... Or "are in authority" (r); as the word is rendered, Proverbs 29:2;
transgression increaseth; among the common people, being encouraged by their wicked rulers, whose examples they follow; or as the wicked themselves increase, in numbers, in age, in power, and riches, their sins increase too;
but the righteous shall see their fall, from their places of authority and power, of honour, riches, and grandeur, into a low and despicable condition, into ruin and destruction; and that with pleasure, because of the glory of God, his wisdom, justice, truth, and faithfulness, displayed therein; see Psalm 58:10.
(r) "dominantibus impiis"; some in Mercerus; "quum praesunt impii", Tigurine version.

Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners, but let them wait with patience.

(Compare Proverbs 29:2, Proverbs 29:12; Psalm 12:1-8).
shall see . . . fall--and triumph in it (Psalm 37:34-38; Psalm 58:10-11).

16 When the godless increase, wickedness increaseth;
But the righteous shall see their fall.
The lxx translation is not bad: πολλῶν ὄντων ἀσεβῶν πολλαὶ γίνονται ἁμαρτίαι (vid., regarding רבה, Proverbs 29:2, Proverbs 28:28); but in the main it is only a Binsenwahrheit, as they say in Swabia, i.e., a trivial saying. The proverb means, that if among a people the party of the godless increases in number, and at the same time in power, wickedness, i.e., a falling away into sins of thought and conduct, and therewith wickedness, prevails. When irreligion and the destruction of morals thus increase, the righteous are troubled; but the conduct of the godless carries the judgment in itself, and the righteous shall with joy perceive, in the righteous retribution of God, that the godless man will be cast down from his power and influence. This proverb is like a motto to Psalm 12:1-8.