O Ephraim! what shall I do, &c.— This is the answer of the Lord to the prayer or promises of Judah and Israel.
Your goodness— חסד chesed. The various senses of this word are well enumerated by Vitringa upon Isaiah 40:6. But the general radical meaning of the word is by none so well developed, as by Mr. Parkhurst. Exuberance is included in the notion of it, in all its applications. The exuberant kindness of God to man; overflowing piety of man towards God; exuberant kindness of man to man; exuberant pruriency of inordinate lust; exuberance of wrath, and of reproachful language, in its good sense, the word "mercy" is inadequate, in the application of it either to God, or man. As from God to man, exuberant or abundant kindness is in general the best English word. As between man and man, "exceeding kindness." In many passages in which it is rendered "mercy," it properly signifies "philanthropy," displaying itself in a general mildness and gentleness of manners. This is clearly the sense in Proverbs 11:17 and, I think, in many other passages, in which it is not applied to any individual act. As from man to God, "piety," swelling in the heart, and displaying itself in acts of devotion. In this place, I think, it signifies that sudden flow of piety, which occasionally comes upon men of very loose lives, if they are not wholly lost to all sense of religion; particularly under afflictions, which produce a momentary penitence.
Munster pertinently remarks, that the Jewish nation had its transient fits of reformation, cutting down the groves, killing the priests of Baal; but they soon returned to their abominations. Houbigant renders this latter clause of the verse, That mercy may be present to you like a morning cloud, and as the dew which is poured forth early.