In Proverbs 29, Solomon is making a series of contrasts between the way the wicked live and the way the righteous live their lives by faith, when he gets to the last few:
25 The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked
The first verse here is key, which the remaining ones add to it. Playing it safe, taking no risks to do and stand for what is right, actually creates a situation where a person will fall and trip up. It's like the fact that the place a person is most likely to trip, fall, and get hurt is in their own home. The contrast is that one who steps out in faith in God will be watched over. The next verse follows the same thinking: many think that the way to get what they want is by using politics and manipulation, but the righteous know it is by obeying God's rules and trusting in Him. Finally, we rarely think about the fact that the wicked really can be convinced that they are right and the righteous are doing it all wrong - in fact seen as reprehensible to them. That fact may indeed be consoling to those who love and trust God, confirming that they are doing what is right, no matter how crazy it may seem to others.
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