For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Ver. 10. For thou, O God, hast proved us] Non ut ipse sciat sed ut scire nos faciat, saith Austin. God proveth his people, not thereby to better his own knowledge of them, John 2:25; John 6:6; Joh 21:17; Acts 1:24, but to bring them to a better knowledge of their own both vices and graces. It is not known what corn will yield till it come to the flail; nor what grapes, till they come to the press. Grace is hid in nature, as sweet water in rose leaves; the fire of affliction fetcheth it out.
Thou hast tried us as silver] The wicked also are tried, Revelation 3:10, but they prove reprobate silver, Jeremiah 6:28; Jeremiah 6:30, or, at best, as alchemy gold, that will not bear the seventh fire, as Job did, Job 23:10 .