I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.
Ver. 14. I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall be for ever,] i.e., That his decree is unchangeable, that his "counsel shall stand," Pro 19:21 that the sun may sooner be stopped in his course than God hindered of his will or in his work, since his power and grace is irresistible. Nature, angels, devils, men, may all be resisted, and so miss their design. Not so God. For who hath resisted his will? Vain men, while (like proud and yet brittle clay) they will be knocking their sides against the solid and eternal decree of God, break themselves in pieces, as Adonijah did. 1 Kings 1:5,9 ; 1Ki 1:41-43 And while, with Pompey, vanquished by Julius Caesar, they complain that there is a great mist upon the eye of Divine providence, they do but blame the sun, because of the soreness of their bleary eyes. Certain it is, and Solomon knows it - though the best of heathens doubted it when they saw good men suffer, bad men prosper - that every creature walks blindfold; only he that dwells in light sees whither they go; and that the chariots of all effects and actions come forth from between those "mountains of brass," God's provident decrees and counsels most firm and immutable. Zec 6:1
That men should fear before him.] And not lay the reins on the neck, casting away all care upon pretence of God's decree, as that French king did that thus desperately argued: Si salvabor, salvabor; si vero damnabor, damnabor: If I shall be saved, I shall be saved; and if I shall be damned, I shall be damned; therefore I will live as I wish. a This was to suck poison out of a sweet flower, to dash against the rock of ages, to fall into the pit (like a profane beast) which was digged for better purpose; to "stumble at the word" (an ill sign, and yet an ordinary sin) "whereunto also they were appointed." 1Pe 2:8 A bridge is made to give men safe passage over a dangerous river; but he that stumbleth on the bridge is in danger to fall into the river. So here.
a Ludovicus II