1The prophet bewaileth his own calamities: 22he acknowledgeth God's mercies and truth to be a proper ground of patient hope: 37he maketh humble confession of the sins which had drawn down God's severe judgments: 55he prayeth to be avenged of his enemies.
1 I1AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod 2of his wrath.3
1 The prophet speaks here not only of himself, under the name of a man, but of the entire church, which makes but one body.
2 Namely, of the Lord. Compare Isa. 10:5.
3 In this chapter in the Hebrew Bible there are constantly three verses, one after another, which begin with one and the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
2He hath led me, and brought me 4into darkness, but not into light.
4 That is, into great afflictions and troubles. See Gen. 15 on verse 12. The word light signifies here also great prosperity. See Psalm 27 on verse 1.
3Surely against me is he turned; he 5turneth his 6hand against me all the day.
5 Or, changed. The sense is: Now He smites me with His hand, wherewith before He has defended and protected me. In brief, He positions Himself quite otherwise towards me than He was wont to do. See Psalm 77 on verse 10.
6 That is, plague, punishment. See Psalm 32:4.
4My flesh and my skin hath 7he made old; he hath broken my 8bones.
7 That is, the signs of His heavy hand against me for my sins appear herein that my flesh decays, and my skin becomes wrinkled.
8 That is, He has taken away all my strength. See also Psalm 6:2, 3; 32:3; 51:8; 141:7; Isa. 38:13; Lam. 1:13.
5He 9hath builded against me, and compassed me with 10gall and travail.
9 That is, He has beset and enclosed me round about as with bulwarks of afflictions, in order that I am not able to escape or resist His hand. See Job 10 on verse 17.
10 Gall, by reason of its bitterness, signifies great miseries and afflictions which do befall men, also verse 19; Jer. 8:14; 9:15; 23:15. See Psalm 69 on verse 21.
611He hath set me in dark places, 12as they that be dead of old.
11 That is, He has brought me into great troubles. See verse 2; Ezek. 37:13. Others understand this of the prison wherein Jeremiah had been shut up. Others understand it of the graves.
12 Hebr. as the dead of eternity, that is, as those who are dead long ago, and are now quite forgotten. Compare Psalm 88:4, 5, 6; 143:3, and the annotation there.
7He hath hedged 13me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made 14my chain heavy.
13 See Job 19 on verse 8. See also verses 5 and 9.
14 Or, my steel fetters. Other my iron fetters; that is, He has made my afflictions, which do compass me about from time to time, greater and greater.
8Also when I cry and shout, he 15shutteth out my prayer.
15 Or, he shutteth out my prayer, that is, He accepts not my prayers, at least, I feel no ease at all. Compare Psalm 22:1; 77:7, etc.
916He hath inclosed my ways with 17hewn stone, he 18hath made my paths crooked.
16 That is, He has blocked every way of escape by unconquerable hindrances. See Num. 22:24; Job 19:8; Hosea 2:6.
17 Or, carved. See 1 Chron. 22 on verse 2. See also Isa. 9 on verse 9.
18 That is, He has frustrated all my designs, which I had intended for my deliverance. It is to the same sense with verses 5 and 7.
1019He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as 20a lion in secret places.
19 Or, He lurked upon me as a bear, etc. Compare Job 10:16; Isa. 38:13; Hosea 5:14; 13:8; Amos 5:19.
20 A lion barking in his den, and lying in wait for men or beasts that pass by, to catch and devour them. See this similitude also Hosea 5:14; 13:7.
1121He hath turned aside my ways, 22and pulled me 23in pieces: 24he hath made me desolate.
21 That is, He has turned my actions to a clean contrary end than I intend them. Other, when my ways are rebellious (or, declining) then he breaketh or teareth me in pieces
22 That is, He has rent and confounded thus the ecclesiastical and political state.
23 As a sheep which falls into the paws of lions or of bears.
24 That is, He has deprived me of my friends, goods and all helpful means, so that I have nothing left at all.
1225He hath 26bent his bow, and 27set me as a mark for the arrow.
25 That is, He has prepared His weapons against me, to deal severely with me. Here and elsewhere in Scripture material weapons are figuratively ascribed unto God. See Judges 7:20; Job 16:12; Psalm 21:12; Isa. 27:1; 34:5, 6; Hab. 3:9, 11.
26 Hebr. trodden. See Psalm 7:12; Lam. 2:4.
27 See Job 16:12, and compare Job 7:20. See also Psalm 64:3.
13He hath caused the 28arrows of his quiver to enter 29into my reins.
28 Hebr. the sons or children of his quiver. See Job 6 on verse 4. Therefore are the arrows thus called because they are locked up in the quiver. In Psalm 127:4, 5 children are also compared unto arrows.
29 That is, He has caused the arrows of His plagues to enter into the innermost parts of my body and soul. See Job 16 on verse 13; Job 19 on verse 27; Psalm 139 on verse 13.
14I was a 30derision to 31all my people; and their 32song all the day.
30 That is, a matter of derision and scorn.
31 Namely, to all those who were my friends and acquaintances; especially to those who are fallen away by reason of these sore afflictions, which Thou Lord hast sent among us.
32 Hebr. string music. The sense is: They make songs of me, and take pleasure therein to upbraid and to hurl at me daily my misery in their songs. See verse 63; Job 17:6; Job 30 on verse 9; Psalm 69:12. Compare Deut. 28:37.
15He hath filled me 33with bitterness, 34he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
33 Or, with great bitterness, or, with very bitter meat, that is, with great anguish, affliction and sorrow. See verses 5 and 19.
34 He, namely, the Lord, has, by the multitude of grieves and sorrows, bereaved me of my senses and understanding.
1635He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, 36he hath covered me with ashes.
35 That is, He has given me such bread to eat, as was full of gravel stones, which has broken my teeth in pieces. See Prov. 20:17.
36 That is, He has brought me to the lowest and most contemptible state and condition.
17And thou hast removed 37my soul far off from peace: 38I forgat prosperity.
37 That is, all prosperity and joy hast Thou, O Lord, removed far from my heart.
38 He wants to say: I have lived now so long in misery that I have forgotten what is prosperity and pleasure; I cannot remember good days anymore.
18And I said, 39My strength and 40my hope is perished from the LORD:
39 Namely, to be able to bear this affliction longer.
40 Namely, that I would ever be delivered from it, as I had hoped from the Lord.
1941Remembering mine 42affliction and my misery, 43the wormwood and the gall.
41 Other, Remember, or, When I remembered.
42 Compare Lam. 1:7.
43 That is, the bitterness which was in it. See verses 5 and 15.
20My soul hath them still in 44remembrance, and 45is humbled in me.
44 Hebr. Remembering remember my soul thereon, that is, she does most earnestly ponder and consider the miseries which have befallen me by reason of my sins.
45 She is thereby humbled and made meek.
2146This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
46 As if he would say: When I consider these things well (namely, those which shall be related later on) I will conclude from this that God will yet at last be gracious unto me.
22 ¶ 47It is of thea LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, 48because his compassions fail not.
47 This is to be ascribed to the overflowing grace of God.
a Isa. 1:9; Hab. 3:13.
48 That is, that He still, at this present, manifests His grace and mercy toward us.
2349They areb new every morning: great is 50thy faithfulness.
49 See Psalm 73 on verse 14. The sense is: We are daily sensible of new evidences of Thy lovingkindness towards us.
b Psalm 30:5.
50 O Lord, Thy faithfulness is great in performing Thy promises, 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 2:13.
2451The LORD is my portion, 52saith my soul; thereforec will I hope in him.
51 The Lord is He Who sustains me both in body and soul, being every way sufficient for me, Gen. 17:1; Psalm 16:5; 73:26; Jer. 10:16.
52 That is, I am thereof sufficiently persuaded in my heart. See the annotation at Psalm 16 on verse 5; Psalm 18:2; 73:25, 26; Rom. 8:38.
c Hab. 2:3.
25The LORD is good unto them 53that wait for him, 54to the soul that seeketh him.
53 That is, who strongly rely on Him, and trust in Him with a true and lively faith.
54 That is, to the man who endeavors with all his heart to draw near unto God by means which He has ordained to come to the knowledge of Him.
2655It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait 56for the salvation of the LORD.
55 He is happy who has set his hope strongly upon the Lord, and in quietness looks for deliverance from the Lord. See Psalm 37 on verse 7. See also Isa. 30:7. Other, it is good, when a man suffereth pain, to be still, etc.
56 That is, upon the deliverance which the Lord shows to them who put their trust in Him.
27It is good 57for a man 58that he bear the yoke 59in his youth.
57 That is, for everyone. Others understand here by man an excellent man.
58 That is, that he suffers affliction and adversity, and submit himself unto discipline, in order that his wicked and corrupt nature may be bridled and tamed. Compare Psalm 119:71.
59 Before sin be too deeply rooted in his heart, and rule entirely over him.
2860He 61sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because 62he hath borne it upon him.
60 Namely, he who has learned to bear the yoke in his youth. Other, He shall sit, etc. Or, That he may sit.
61 Let him quietly take up the cross in his solitude, without making a great noise, remembering that the Lord has laid it upon him for his good. See Psalm 39:9.
62 Namely, the Lord.
2963He putteth his mouth in the dust; 64ifd so be there may be hope.
63 That is, he casts himself down to the ground before the face of God in a most humble and submissive manner, acknowledging that He in justice lays all these afflictions upon him. Compare Job 42:6; Psalm 22:15, 29; 1 Cor. 14:25. The contrary see Psalm 73:8, 9.
64 As if he said: Though I see no relief, all means failing me, and the hand of God being so heavy upon me, yet will I hope, being confident that God will yet at last let me taste of His grace and mercy. The words if so be do not always signify doubt or uncertainty, but also comforting, or encouraging in weighty matters, as Joshua 14:12. See the annotation at Joel 2 on verse 14.
d Acts 8:22.
3065He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: 66he is filled full with reproach.
65 That is, let him patiently receive the blows and stripes which men give him undeservedly or without just and lawful cause.
66 See Job 7 on verse 4. It signifies here to bear all kinds of scorn patiently.
3167For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
67 The meaning is: Though God appears sometimes to withdraw His lovingkindness from His children for a while, yet it shall not last always. See 1 Cor. 10:13. See similar sayings Psalm 30:5; 73:24; 126:5, 6; 130:7; 135:14; Isa. 27:6, 7, 8; 54:7, 8; Jer. 10:24; 30:11; 46:28; Hab. 3:2; 2 Cor. 4:17; 1 Peter 1:6.
32But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion 68according to the multitude of his mercies.
68 Or, according to the greatness of His mercies, that is, His mercy is without end.
33For he doth 69not afflict willingly nor grieve 70the children of men.
69 Hebr. not from his heart, that is, He takes no delight in it, but the sins of men are the cause of it. Compare Isa. 28 on verse 21. And when He corrects His children, He does it to draw them away from sinning.
70 Hebr. of the man’s children; of man for men. See Job 12 on verse 10.
3471To 72crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
71 The sense is: Though the Lord often uses tyrants as His rods to correct His children, yet He has no delight in that men would put to shame all those, who by force and violence are cast into prison, without respect of persons and actions. See Psalm 109:16; Zech. 1:15; Luke 6:36.
72 That is, trample. See examples hereof Joshua 10:24, and compare Job 5:4; Psalm 44:19; 143:3.
35To 73turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
73 That is, delay, put off his cause, either by false witnesses, or other undue means. See an example Luke 18:4, and compare Exod. 23:6, 7; Deut. 16:19; 2 Chron. 19:6, 7.
36To 74subvert a man in his 75cause, 76the 77Lord approveth not.
74 Whether by violence, authority or subtlety. Hebr. pervert.
75 Or, legal action, process.
76 would not the Lord regard it?
77 Who is just. See Psalm 11:7, and compare Psalm 94:5, 6, etc.
37 ¶ 78Whoeis he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
78 What creature in heaven or on earth can say with certainty: Such a thing shall come to pass, since it cannot happen unless the Lord be pleased to do it? The wise Providence of God reaches to all things which are done either in heaven or on earth.
e Psalm 33:9.
38Out of 79the mouth of the most High 80proceedethf not 81evil and good?
79 That is, decree or command. See Gen. 41 on verse 40.
80 Is it not God, Who in His eternal counsel decrees, orders and effects all things?
f Isa. 45:7; Amos 3:6.
81 Hebr. evils. The sense is: All adversity and prosperity which befalls a man. See Amos 3:6.
3982Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his 83sins?
82 The meaning is: Inasmuch as a man is sufficiently convinced in himself why it is that God does punish him, namely, for his sins, why then does he vex himself and complain, instead of seeking for remedy? Why does he more look upon his affliction than upon the causes thereof?
83 Namely, whereby he has brought the punishing hand of God upon himself, and let him pray that he may be freed and delivered from it.
40Let us search and try our 84ways, and 85turn again to the LORD.
84 That is, our thoughts, words and works, remembering what the same have duly deserved, according to the balance of God’s righteous judgment.
85 Hebr. properly, let us turn again even unto the Lord, that is, let us have true hearty sorrow and repentance for our manifold sins, and pray for pardon of them, with a sure confidence of obtaining it, and with a firm resolution of amending our life for time to come. Compare Hosea 14:2; Joel 2 on verse 12; 2 Cor. 7:9.
41Let us lift up our heart 86with our hands 87unto God in the heavens.
86 Other, unto the clouds. See the annotation at Job 36 on verse 32.
87 Who alone can and will pardon the sins of penitent sinners.
42We have transgressed and have rebelled: 88thou hast not pardoned.
88 Understand herewith: but Thou hast surely chastised us, namely, as long as we persevered in our sins and transgressions.
4389Thou hast covered with anger, and 90persecuted us: thou hast slain, 91thou hast not pitied.
89 Properly according to the Hebrew letter: Thou hast covered us over with anger as with a tent, or, Thou hast over-tented or over-hutted us. See Psalm 5:11.
90 Namely, with Thy righteous judgments in all places wheresoever we went.
91 Thou hast had no compassion on us, nor on our little children. See Lam. 2:2, 17.
44Thou hast covered thyself 92with a cloud, 93that our prayer should not pass through.
92 As with a partition wall. Compare Isa. 59:1, 2.
93 So that our prayer could not come before Thy face.
45Thou hast made us 94as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the 95people.
94 Or, as sweepings, that is, such filth or uncleanness as men use to scour off, that is, as people loathed and abhorred. Compare 1 Cor. 4:13.
95 Over whom we bare rule in former time.
46All our enemies 96have opened their mouths against us.
96 They have boldly belched out all that they could imagine that it might tend somewhat to our disgrace. See Lam. 2:16, and compare Psalm 22:13.
4797Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.98
97 Compare Psalm 11:6; Isa. 24:17; Jer. 48:43. The meaning is: We are in a miserable condition, in great fear and distress, and we see no deliverance.
98 Namely, are come upon us.
48Mine eye runneth down 99with 100rivers of water for the destruction 101of the daughter of my people.
99 That is, such an abundance of tears come out of mine eyes, as if they were quite dissolved into water. Compare Lam. 1:16.
100 See Psalm 1 on verse 3.
101 That is, of my people, whom I love as dearly as mine own daughter, as Lam. 1:6. See also Lam. 2:11, 13.
49Mine eye 102trickleth down, and ceaseth not, 103without any intermission,
102 Namely, with tears. Other, becometh flowing.
103 The great misery of the daughter of My people ceases not.
50104Till 105the LORD look down, and 106behold from heaven.
104 That is, till the LORD does make it appear indeed that He is favorable to us. See verse 8. Likewise verses 43, 44; Lam. 2:1.
105 Thus the apostle Paul also calls the Lord Christ, 1 Cor. 15:47.
106 Namely, my misery.
51107Mine eye 108affectethg mine heart 109because of all the daughters of my city.
107 That is, the miseries which I behold with mine eyes.
108 Or, worketh in my soul, that is, moves my soul, or pains my soul. Or, consumes my soul.
g cause pain
109 Namely, who are disgraced and carried away captive by the enemies. See Lam. 5:11. Other, above all the daughters of my city, that is, more than some women who are in the habit of doing that which they most love to do.
52Mine enemies chased me 110sore, 111like a bird, 112without cause.
110 Namely, to bring me utterly to destruction. Hebr. chasing have chased me.
111 That is, as a fowler seeks to catch birds. Compare Psalm 11:1; 102:7; 124:7; Eccl. 9:12.
112 That is, whom I never wronged or sought to wrong, or, that they are to expect any profit from it. See Psalm 35 on verse 7; 69:4; 109:3; 119:161.
53113They have cut off 114my life in the dungeon, and cast 115a stone 116upon me.
113 Namely, the enemies, whereof is spoken in verse 52.
114 That is, me, in mine own person. The meaning is: They have not only taken me captive (which was truly done to the prophet Jeremiah, Jer. 37:16; 38:6), but they also used great cruelty, attempting to take away my life. Compare Gen. 37:24.
115 Either to shut the mouth of the grave, in order that I might not come forth, or to smother and kill me.
116 That is, upon the grave wherein I lie, at the door of the pit wherein they have shut me up. Compare Joshua 10:18; Dan. 6:18; Mat. 27:60.
54117Waters flowed over mine head; then 118I said, 119I am cut off.
117 Understand here by waters many and great afflictions. See Psalm 69 on verses 1 and 2; 124:4, 5. The prophet speaks here in the person of God’s people, yet so that he sometimes (as a member of God’s people) sets forth his own sufferings that befell him, and the mercy that God had shown him, being an example and comfort unto the people of God.
118 I imagined and spoke.
119 I am utterly undone; I see no means of deliverance, but rather the contrary. Compare Psalm 31:22, with the annotation.
55¶I called upon thy name, O LORD, 120out of the low dungeon.
120 Hebr. out of the pit of lowliness, that is, when I was in the extreme affliction. See Psalm 88 on verse 6; 120:1.
56121Thou hast heard my voice: 122hide not thine ear 123at my breathing, at my cry.
121 That is, Thou hast granted my request for which I have prayed Thee.
122 Refuse not henceforth to give heed to my fervent and hearty prayer.
123 Other, at my sighing.
57Thou drewest 124near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
124 That is, didst cause me to taste Thy gracious help, which Thou didst plainly manifest unto me, as if Thou hadst said unto me in express terms: Fear not, Isa. 41:10.
58O Lord, 125thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; 126thou hast redeemed my life.
125 That is, Thou hast protected and delivered me, when they sought to kill me. Compare Jeremiah 38. See also Psalm 35 on verse 1.
126 That is, Thou hast delivered me out of the hands of those who sought to slay me cruelly.
59O LORD, thou hast seen my 127wrong: 128judge thou my cause.
127 Hebr. my perverseness, that is, which was practiced against me. See Jer. 2 on verse 2.
128 That is, mind my cause, and judge me according to mine integrity, help me to my right. Compare Psalm 43:1.
60Thou hast seen all 129their 130vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
129 Namely, of mine enemies.
130 That is, how revengeful, yea, also how bloodthirsty they are against me.
61Thou hast heard 131their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me;
131 That is, their spiteful and reproachful words, which they have uttered against me.
62132The lips of those that rose up against me, and 133their device against me all the day.134
132 The words of mine enemies, wherewith they threaten me.
133 That is, the thoughts of their wicked heart.
134 Understand additionally: thou hast heard.
63Behold 135their sitting down, and their rising up; I am 136their musick.
135 See Psalm 1 on verse 1; Psalm 139 on verse 2, and compare Isa. 37:28.
136 See the annotation Lam. 3 on verse 14; Job 30 on verse 9.
64¶Render 137unto them a recompence, O LORD, 138according to the work of their hands.
137 Namely, whose song and music I am, as in the previous verse.
138 See Psalm 28:4; 94:2.
65Give them 139sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
139 That is, such giddiness and mist of heart, as may deprive them of all courage and valor, in order that they may not be able to do us any harm.
66Persecute and destroy them in anger 140from under the heavens of the LORD.
140 That is, everywhere, as far as the heaven reaches, as Exod. 17:14; Deut. 7:24; 25:19; 29:20; 2 Kings 14:27.