By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.
Ver. 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged.] Lest the proud person, bearing these dreadful threats, sbould fall into despair, here is a way shewed him how to escape. "By mercy and truth"; that is, by the goodness and faithfulness of God; by his love tbat moved him to promise pardon to the penitent, and by his truth that binds him to perform; "iniquity" - though never so hateful, be it blasphemy or any like heinous sin Mat 12:31 - "is purged," or expiated, viz., through Christ, "who is the propitiation for our sins." 1Jn 2:2 Pro 14:22 See Trapp on " Pro 14:22 "
And by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.] As in the former clause were declared the causes of justification, so here the exercise of sanctification, for these two go ever together. Christ doth not only wash all his in "the fountain" of his blood "opened for sin and for uncleanness," Zec 13:1 but healeth their natures of that swinish disposition, whereby they would else wallow again in their former filth. The laver and altar under the law situated in the same priest's court signified the same, as the water and blood issuing out of Christ's side, viz., the necessary concurrence of justification and sanctification in all that shall be saved: that [the latter] was intimated by the laver and water; this [the former] by the altar and blood.