Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Ver. 5. Every one that is proud in heart, &c.] That lifts up himself against God and his righteous decree; daring to reprehend what they do not comprehend about the doctrine of reprobation, as those chatters, Romans 9:20. These, while, like proud and yet brittle clay, they will be knocking their sides against the solid and eternal decrees of God - called mountains of brass Zec 6:1 - break themselves in pieces. So likewise do such as "stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed." 1Pe 2:8 How much better were it for them to take the prophet's counsel, "Hear, and give ear, be not proud, for the Lord hath spoken it. Give glory to the Lord your God" - let him be justified and every mouth stopped, subscribe to his most perfect justice, though it were in your own utter destruction - "before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains." Jer 13:15-16 That was a proud and atheistic speech of Louis XI, Si salvabor, salvabor; si veto damnabor damnabor: If I shall be saved, I shall be saved; and if I shall be damned, I shall be damned; and there is all the care that I shall take. Not unlike to this was that wretched resolution of one Ruffus, of whom it is reported that he painted God on the one side of his shield, and the devil on the other, with this mad motto, Si tu me nolis, iste rogitat: If thou wilt not have me, here is one who will!
Though hand join in hand.] See Trapp on " Pro 11:21 " Some make "hand in hand" to be no more than ‘out of hand,' ‘immediately' or ‘with ease'; for nothing is sooner or with more ease done than to fold one hand in another. God "shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim, and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoil of their hands." Isa 25:11 The motion in swimming is easy, not strong; for strong strokes in the water would rather sink than support. God with greatest facility can subdue his stoutest adversary when once it comes to handy gripes; when once his hand joins to the proud man's hand - so some sense this text - so that they do manus conserere, then shall it appear that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Heb 10:31