Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
Ver. 17. Shall they therefore empty their net] That they may fill it again anew, and so draw to themselves, as to a pond or pool, the wealth and power of the whole east? Interrogatio precationis speciem habet, saith Gualther. This question is an effectual prayer; and it is as if the prophet should thus say, If, as hitherto, thou go on to wink at their wickedness, O God, will they not grow more audacious every day, and mischievous to mankind? Arise, therefore, O Lord of recompences, to the help of thy people. Set up and show thyself above the heathen, that they may know themselves to be but men.
And not spare continually to slay the nations] q.d. This cannot hold long; and that it may not, is mine earnest suit and supplication. Lord, when thou makest inquisition for blood, remember their blood guiltiness, and forget not the cry of the humble, Psalms 9:12. These cruel Chaldeans do not only subjugate, but slay, not a few, but whole nations and that continually, and that without mercy. Is it not high time for thee to set to thy hand, O preserver of men, &c. Note the prophet's ardency in prayer; and learn of him to get upon the battlements, and look up, to see what comes of it, Habakkuk 2:1. This was also David's practice, Psalms 5:3, where he useth the selfsame military word, atsappeh; importing that he would be as a spy upon a tower, to see whether he prevailed with God, whether he got the day.