His ways are burdensome at all times. Your judgments are far above his sight. He puffs himself up against all his enemies.
This verse describes the state of the wicked when his evil ways seem to prosper and continue unhindered for a long time. The phrase “His ways are hard at all times” shows the harshness and merciless nature of his deeds, and also that his course seems steady and uninterrupted. He attributes that success to his own strength and does not realize that even his temporary freedom is under God’s authority. The words “Your judgments are far above his sight” mean that God’s judgments and righteous ordinances are far from his thinking. Since judgment is not yet visible, he mistakenly thinks it will never come. Yet God’s judgments are “above” not because they do not exist, but because a proud mind occupied with earthly things does not want to see them. The words “He puffs at all his enemies” portray his contemptuous self-confidence. He is convinced that no one can stop him. The verse warns that temporary success is not proof of God’s approval. The believer is called not to envy the wicked person’s apparent success, and to be careful that his own success does not produce pride within him, forgetfulness of God’s will, and contempt toward others.