God shall hear; either,
1. My prayers against them, mentioned Psalms 55:15. Or,
2. Their reproaches, Psalms 55:12; their deceitful and treacherous speeches, Psalms 55:21. He said God would hear his voice, Psalms 55:17; now he adds that God will hear his enemies voice also, of which he spake Psalms 55:3. Afflict them; or, testify against them, or give an answer to them; not in words, but really, and by dreadful punishments, as this word signifies, Ezekiel 14:4; which seems best to agree with the next foregoing word, God will hear and answer them. He that abideth of old, Heb. he that inhabiteth antiquity or eternity; who is eternal, and therefore unchangeable and almighty; and consequently, as he ever was, so he still is and will be, ready to defend his people, and to destroy their enemies; and none can prevent nor hinder-him in either of those designs. No changes; either,
1. For the better; because they do not repent nor turn from their sins. But then the next clause must be rendered, as it is in the Hebrew, and not fear God. Or rather,
2. For the worse; for of such destructive changes this word, when applied to persons. is generally used in Scripture, as Job 10:17 Job 14:14, &c., because they meet with no crosses nor disappointments, and hitherto all their counsels succeed well, and the people flow in to them unanimously; as it was in the beginning and progress of Absalom's rebellion. They fear not God; their prosperous success makes them go on securely and obstinately in their wicked courses, without any regard to God, or dread of his judgments; there being nothing which more hardens men's hearts, and makes them presumptuous and incorrigible, than uninterrupted prosperity. See Psalms 30:6 Proverbs 1:32 Jeremiah 22:21.