The faithful bewail their calamities. By the mercies of God they nourish their hope. They acknowledge God's justice, They pray for deliverance, and for justice on their enemies.
Before Christ 588.
IN this chapter the prophet seems to have had it in view to instruct his countrymen in the lesson of bearing themselves well under adversity. To this end, he first of all sets himself forth as an example of the most severe and trying afflictions. He then points out the inexhaustible mercies of God as the never-failing source of his consolation and hope; and exhorts others to patience and quiet resignation under the like circumstances, shewing that God is ever gracious to those that wait upon him; that he is prone to pardon and pity, and takes no delight in afflicting mankind; but turns away with disgust from all acts of oppression and malignant cruelty. He asserts the divine supremacy in the dispensations of good and evil, and argues that no man has a right to complain, when he is punished according to his deserts. He therefore recommends it to his fellow-sufferers to examine themselves, and turn to God with contrite hearts, sincerely deploring the sinfulness of their conduct, which had provoked the divine justice to treat them with such extraordinary severity. He professes himself deeply affected with the calamities of his country; but calling to mind the desperate circumstances from which he had heretofore been rescued by the divine aid, he declares his hope that the same good providence will frustrate the malice of his present enemies, and turn the scornful reproach they had cast upon him to their own confusion.