O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
Ver. 7. O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived.] a From hence to the end of the chapter the prophet, not without some tang and taint of human frailty, grievously quiritateth and expostulateth with God about the hard usage and ill success he met with in the execution of his prophetic function. But as ex incredulitate Thomae nostra contirmata est fides, Thomas's unbelief serveth to the settling of our faith; and as Peter's fall warneth us to look well to our standings; so when such a man as Jeremiah shall miscarry in this sort, and have such outbursts, oh be not high minded, but fear. Some render the text, Lord, if I be deceived, thou hast deceived me; and so every faithful man who keepeth to the rule, may safely say. Piscator hath it, Persuasisti mihi Iehova, et persuasus sum. O Lord, thou persuadedst me, and I was persuaded - sc., to undertake this prophetic office - but I have small joy of it. Some think he thus complained when he was put in prison by Pashnr.
I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.] This is the world's wages. The cynic said of the Megarians long ago, Better be their horse, dog, or pander than their teacher, and better he should be regarded.
a Iterum more solito causam suam μεμψιμοιρος coram Deo agit. - Oecolamp.