I hearkened and heard, [but] they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
Ver. 6. I hearkened and heard.] Or, I have listened to hear; but could not yet hear them lisp out one syllable of savoury language.
No man repented of his wickedness.] No, nor so much as reflected, or turned short again upon himself to take a review of his former evil practices, which yet is the very first thing in repentance,. 2Ch 6:37 Luk 15:17
Saying, What have I done?] The Pythagoreans once a day put this question to themselves. And the orator a thus bespoke his adversary, Naevius, Si haec duo tecum verba reputasses, Quid ego? respirasset cupiditas et avaritia paululum; that is, hadst thou but said those two words to thyself, What do I? thy lust and covetousness would thereby have been cooled and qualified.
Every one turned to his course, as a horse rusheth.] Heb., Rusheth with as much violence as an overflowing flood, Hinc apparet fructus liberi arbitrii, saith Oecolampadius. See here the fruit of free will, and what man will do, being left to himself. Carnal affections are forcible and furious. Plato b himself saw and could say as much, when he compared concupiscence to a headstrong horse, that runneth away with his rider, and cannot be ruled.
a Cicero, Orat. pro Quintio.
b In Phaed.