Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water.
Silver
The silver represents the princes and lords, viewed with reference to the nobility of mind associated with their nobility of birth and rank; for silver--sterling silver--is a symbol of all that is noble and pure, and it is the purity of light which shows itself in it, as in the pure white of byssus and of the lily. The princes and lords formerly possessed the virtues which together are in Latin called candor animi,--the virtues of magnanimity, courtesy, impartiality, and freedom from the influence of bribes; now, this silver has become dross, such base metals as are separated or thrown aside. (F. Delitzsch.)
Diluted wine
In a second figure, the leading men of Jerusalem in former days are compared to “choice wine,” such as drinkers like. This pure, strong, and costly wine is now adulterated with water, or weakened; i.e., through this addition, its strength and flavour are diminished. The present is but the dregs and the shadow of the past. (F. Delitzsch.)
Impaired
The essential idea seems to be that of impairing strength, (J. A. Alexander.)
The possible degeneracy of valuable things
There are many valuable and good things in the world that through varied causes are rendered comparatively useless.
I. THE SILVER OF THY CHARACTER HAS BECOME DROSS BECAUSE OF LITTLE FAILINGS.
II. THE SILVER OF THY SERVICE HAS BECOME DROSS BECAUSE OF UNHOLY MOTIVES.
III. THE SILVER OF THY MONEY HAS BECOME DROSS BECAUSE OF SELFISHNESS.
IV. THE SILVER OF THY TALENTS HAS BECOME DROSS BECAUSE OF INDOLENCE. Silver is bright when kept in use. Talents are valuable when active. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Sinful compromise and its results
“Thy wine is mixed with water”--that sounds like a compromise. Thy wine diluted; it is the corruption of the ideal. “Thy princes are rebellions”--that is the corruption of government. “Everyone loveth gifts and followeth after rewards”--that is the corruption of justice. “They, judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them”--that is the corruption of the tenderest ties of the heart. Do you see where you begin? You begin by mixing wine and water, you begin by illicit compromise, by lowering and corrupting the ideal, and you end in cruelty, you forget God, then the ideal is forgotten, then yourself is forgotten, you forget your neighbour, and the cause of the widow makes no appeal to you. (J. H. Jowett, M. A.)