Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
Ver. 14. Why do we sit still?] Here the people speak (see on Jer 8:13), being grievously frightened upon the coming of the Chaldees, and thereupon consulting what course to take; but all would not do. Jer 8:16
Let us be silent.] Sic silent pavidi mures coram fele. So they were as a panic struck mouse in the eyes of a cat.
For the Lord our God hath put us to silence.] Hath expelled our courage and stopped our mouths.
And hath given us water of gall to drink.] Succum cicutae, juice of hemlock, our bane, our death's draught; so that now we know, by woeful experience, what an evil and bitter thing sin is; for a drop of honey we have now a sea of gall.