O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
Ver. 18. O my God, incline thine ear and hear; open thine eyes, and behold, &c.] Thus growing to a conclusion of his prayer he prays more earnestly: he stretcheth out his petitions, as it were, εκτενης, upon the tenters, with those good souls in Acts 12:5; he stirreth up himself and taketh better hold, as resolved not to let him go without the blessing. The like, before him, did good Hezekiah, with whom he concurreth in the very letter of his request. Isa 37:17 See Trapp on " Isa 37:17 "
For our own righteousnesses.] Which are nothing better than a rotten rag, a menstruous clout, such as a man would not deign to take up or touch.
But for thy great mercies.] Through the merits of the promised Messiah.