For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Ver. 15. For thus saith the high and lofty One.] Higher than the highest; so high, that he is said to "humble himself to behold things done in heaven"; Psa 113:6 to look out of himself upon the saints and angels there. He is a God, saith one, whose nature is majesty, whose place is immensity, whose time is eternity, whose life is sanctity, whose power is omnipotence, whose work is mercy, whose wrath is justice, whose throne is sublimity, whose seat is humility.
That inhabiteth eternity.] Gigas saeculorum, saith the Syriac. The apostle Paul hath a like stately description of almighty God, 1Ti 6:16 who yet is above all name or notion, and must be thought of as one not to be thought of. Herein he is most unlike to men, who the higher they are, the less they look after the poor afflicted.
I dwell in the high and holy place.] In "the light which no man can approach unto." 1Ti 6:16 In the holy place of the material temple, which was without windows, there burned lights perpetually, to represent the celestial lights; but in the most holy place there was no light at all, to show that all outward light is but darkness being compared with that light which God inhabiteth, and which is inaccessible.
With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.] In the lowest hearts he dwelleth, as well as in the highest heavens. A broken heart is God's lesser heaven; here he dwelleth with delight. Not that the affliction of a man's spirit is pleasing to God, but the separation of sin from the soul. When the solder that joineth a sinful action and the heart together is dissolved, this pleaseth the Lord.
To revive the spirit of the humble.] As this very text hath done many a one.