If thou [wert] pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
Ver. 6. If thou wert pure and upright] If thou didst lift up pure hands to God in prayer, &c. Oς κε θεοις επιπειθηται μαλα τ εκλυον αυτου ..
Pura Deus mens est, pura vult mente vocari:
Et puras iussit pondus habere preces.
The fountain of goodness will not be laden at with foul hearts and hands, Jeremiah 4:14 Jam 4:8 Isa 1:15-16 John 9:31 1 Timothy 2:8 . Thus a heathen philosopher, being at sea in a great storm, and perceiving many wicked wretches with him in the ship calling upon the gods, Silete, inquit, ne Dii vos hic navigare sentiant, Hold your tongues, said he, pray not, lest the gods take notice that you are here, and we all perish for your sakes. There are that take these words for reformation, as the former verse for humiliation, those two parts of true repentance: if thou wert pure and upright, as a right penitentiary would be; if thou wouldst break off thy sins by repentance, and especially thine hypocrisy which hath brought this punishment upon thee from the Lord. If thou wouldst not only repent for thy sins, but also from thy sins, and frame to lead a new life, which is optima et aptissima paenitentia, saith Luther, the best and soundest repentance.
Surely now he would awake for thee] Thou shouldst undoubtedly find speedy and unmiscarrying returns of thy prayers, and all good acceptance of thy services. He will hear thee for deliverance, so the Septuagint render it; he will up and do it, he will arise and have mercy upon Zion, Psalms 102:13, for now that she prayeth and purgeth herself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. I am come for thy words, saith the angel to Daniel, Job 10:12 .
And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous] i.e. He will bless thy well ordered family, and whatsoever thou dost therein shall prosper, Psalms 1:3. Thy children and servants shall live together in peace, and all good agreement; thy stock, also, and thy store shall be increased. He shall restore it to, or repair it for, thee, as the Septuagint here render it, αποκαταστησει δι σοι (Sept.), peace, plenty, and prosperity shall be heaped upon thee; this is the import of the word שׁלם. Some of the Hebrews by habitation of righteousness here understand the soul, in which dwelleth righteousness. Others of them take it for the body, the habitation of the soul, wherein righteousness is seated. But these senses are far fetched.