If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
Ver. 21. If I have lift up my hand against the fatherless] That is, against any that are destitute of human helps and defences. Such to ill treat and oppress is easy for great ones. See Genesis 50:15,21, &c. But where the true fear of God is no such thing will be done. The Tigurines render, Si minitatus sum Orphano, &c., If I have lifted up my hand in threatening first, and then let it fall in striking and punishing, the fatherless or friendless.
When I saw my help in the gate] i.e. When, by my greatness and grace with the people, I might have borne out my worst miscarriages; when I might have had more than enough that would have defended, yea, applauded me, as the Senate of Rome did Nero even for his most malapert misdemeanors and most horrid outrages.