I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.
Ver. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself.] Heb., Hearing I have heard; his moans and laments have rung in mine ears. So Hosea 14:8, "I have heard him, and observed him." This is God's speech concerning the Christian Church of the Jews; for in this sermon we may easily observe a frequent change of persons, tanquam in opere dramatico, as in an interlude.
Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised,] i.e., I was chastised to good purpose, taught my duty. as Psa 94:12
Turn thou me.] Give me the whole turn, that I be not as an untamed sturdy heifer, or as a cake half baked.