Behold, O LORD; for I [am] in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home [there is] as death.
Ver. 20. Behold, O Lord, for I am in distress.] Thus ever and anon she is lifting up her soul to God, by a holy apostrophe, in some short yet pithy expressions. And surely if a long look toward God speedeth, Psa 34:4-5 John 2:4 ; Jon 2:7 how much more a hearty ejaculation, as here!
My bowels are troubled.] Lutulant, bulliunt, vel intumescunt: non solum fluctuant, aut strepunt, ut alibi. My bowels boil and bubble, or are thick and muddy, as waters are after and in a tempest: or it is a metaphor from mortar made by mingling water with lime and sand. She was in a great perturbation, and sought ease by submitting to God's justice, and imploring his mercy.
Mine heart is turned within me.] Or, Turneth itself upside down. See Hosea 11:8 .
For I have grievously rebelled.] This was the right way to get ease and settle all within - viz., to confess sin with aggravation, putting in weight, laying on load.
Abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.] Famine especially, which is worse than the sword. Lam 4:9
“ Et plurima mortis imago. ”
“Even the most intense image of death.”
R. Solomon interpreteth it of evil angels.