Proverbs 10:28 “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.”
“The hope of the righteous” refers to how “hope” itself works within “the righteous”, not just what “the righteous” looks forward to, but the “glad” feelings that arise because “hope” is present with them. In contrast, “the expectation of the wicked” refers to the outcome of their “wicked” motives and deeds. The “righteous” are “glad” right now, even in the midst of awful trials and tribulations, because they “know that” their “redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25). The “righteous” are those who have been “made righteous” by the blessed Sacrifice of our Beloved Savior. When those who have been “made righteous” strive to live in a “righteous” manner, they are blessed to experience an extraordinary present-day “gladness” that strengthens and encourages them, even in the very face of the “wicked” deeds thrust upon them by the “wicked”. On the other hand, “the wicked” are always devising some new “wicked” thing with which to afflict “the righteous”; “but the expectation of the wicked shall perish” because “the righteous” have their trust in the reigning “blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15)! This “King” cannot be defeated, His only outcome is Victory! This Great “King” loves His “righteous” with such a “great love” (Ephesians 2:4) that He even suffered Himself to be Crucified to secure their Eternal Salvation. Therefore, when “the righteous” are experiencing great “tribulation”, they are at the same time experiencing great “gladness” for their “King” has “overcome the world” (John 16:33), especially “the world” of “the wicked” who seek to do “wicked” things to “the righteous”! So, today let “the righteous” express their “gladness” and declare, “my hope is in” the Lord (Psalms 39:7); for, He is our “hope” even “in the day of evil” (Jeremiah 17:17)!