O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, [and] hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
Ver. 17. O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways? &c., ] i.e., Given us up to error and obstinace? Why dost thou thus punish sin with sin, for the illustration of thy justice and jealousy against us, who have rebelled and vexed thine Holy Spirit? Isa 63:10 Oh, be pleased to deal with us rather according to thy mercy. "Return for thy servants' sake," the good people that are yet left among us; give us hearts of flesh, and lead us in the way everlasting. Here observe that God's best children may find in themselves hardness of heart, Hos 4:16 yet not total, but mixed with softness and tenderness in every part, so that though they resist, neglect, profit not as they might do - through pride, worldliness, voluptuousness, Mat 13:22 Luk 21:34 hypocritical hiding of any sin, Psa 32:3-4 Pro 28:14 letting fall the watch of the Lord 2Ch 32:25 - yet it is not done with full consent, but with reluctance now, and repentance afterwards.
The tribes of thine inheritance,] q.d., Wilt thou abhor thy people in covenant with thee, and abandon thine own inheritance? How few are there that thus urge the seal, and enter a suit with the Lord!