For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Ver. 8. For he shall be as a tree planted.] It is plain that he here alludeth to Psalms 1:3; see the notes there. The laurel, saith Pliny, is never thunderstruck. Sure it is that he who trusteth in God taketh no hurt; his heart is fixed and unmovable Psa 112:7-8 to endure things almost incredible. Psa 27:3 Isa 14:32 cf. Isa 26:4-5 True trust will certainly triumph at length, as that which leaneth on the Lord and the power of his might, the surest support.
By the river.] The Hebrew here is jubal; and the jubilee, saith one, had its name from this word, which signifieth a stream or watercourse, as carrying us to Christ, who is the truth of this type. Luk 18:19
But his leaf shall be green.] Neither falling nor fading.
And shall not be careful in the year of drought.] A metaphor, setting forth the full assurance of faith that is in some good men, such as was that holy martyr, a who said, I will henceforth be careless, according to my name.
“ Si fractus illabatur orbis,
Impavidum ferient ruinae. ”
Neither shall cease from yielding fruit. ] As they say the lemon tree doth not, but ever and anon sendeth forth new lemons as soon as the former are fallen down with ripeness. b
a John Careless, Acts and Mon., fol. 1743.
b Theoph., Plin.