And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
Ver. 9. And the mean man boweth down.] There is a general conspiracy, and they are altogether become abominable. Lords and lowlies, kings and captives, all sorts were idolaters. Some render it, "Shall be brought down, and shall be humbled." God loveth to retaliate, to abate and abase man's pride, by pulling down whatsoever height or strength they confide in.
Therefore forgive them not.] A pious prayer doubtless, proceeding from true zeal, which is an extreme heat of all the affections for God's glory. Ut pius sit in Deum, durus sit in proximum, saith Oecolampadius. Like another Elias he maketh intercession to God against Israel, Rom 11:2 whom he saw to be incorrigible, and their sin to be irremissible, their judgment unavoidable.