Do No Iniquity

“They” refers to the group that the first two verses refers to.  It tells us yet a third truth about those who desire to be blessed of God.  “Also” emphasizes for us that this is an additional qualification.  The first two verses might be considered to be an extension of each other or related to each other and speaking of largely the same thing.  This verse, however, adds to the qualifications listed.

Iniquity refers to that which results in defilement or uncleanness.  The idea is that the one who desires to be blessed of God must submit himself to the Word of God and also be sure that they do no iniquity, nothing that leads to any defilement.

The implication is that it is the Word of God that teaches us both what we ought to do and what we ought not to do.

We need to note also that it is ours to do that which keeps us from iniquity.  We are to refrain from iniquitious actions in addition to doing those things that bring blessing.  The second part of this is that they do those things that are a part of His way.  The two go hand I hand.  We are to abstain from evil and do the good.

“Walk” carries the same significance that it had in verse one.  It speaks of the habit of life.  Here it speaks of the habit of life, but with a focus on the individual acts that make up that walk.  Our “walk” is our lifestyle, but we live that life one act of obedience at a time.  Those actions are either positive or negative actions.  They are either acts of doing or acts of abstaining.  Doing that which is beneficial and abstaining from that which is harmful.

We ought to note as well that the godly man walks in God’s ways.  They are His ways because they are the ways that are enumerated in His Word.

“Ways” speaks of the normal habits of life.  It is the perfect companion word to “walk”.  Walking, in this context refers to the character of this life while “ways” refers to the nature of that lifestyle.

The contrast that is here is keen.  The one desiring blessing must abstain from that which defiles; and by so doing, walk in the ways of God.  It is the “way” of God to walk or persist in holiness.  That ought to be our “way” as well.