For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue [is] deceitful in their mouth.
Ver. 12. For the rich men thereof are full of violence] After that they have once enriched themselves by fraud and false dealing, they take the boldness openly to oppress, and to exercise regiment without righteousness, which is no better than robbery with authority; of which before, Micah 2:1,13; Mic 3:1-12 Thus wicked men wax worse and worse, 2 Timothy 3:13, "till wrath come upon them to the utmost," 1 Thessalonians 2:16 .
And the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies] Not the rich men only are in fault; but as the Cretians, so these are always liars, loud and lewd liars; their tongue is deceitful in their mouth, so that they no sooner open their mouths but swarms of lies issue out; they are mendaciorum loquacissimi, they have taught their tongues to speak lies, Jeremiah 9:5, they are now become artists at it; yea, they take fast hold of deceit, Jeremiah 8:5, so that they cannot be got off, without striving. This is lamentable, and yet common; especially in trading and trafficking. But oh when shall that golden age return, that the argument may again proceed, Sacerdos est, non fallet: Christianus est, non mentietur. He is a minister, and will not deceive you: He is a Christian, and will not lie! See Isaiah 63:8 .