God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Ver. 4. Every man a liar] viz. By nature. But,Isaiah 63:8, God's people are "children that will not lie," they will die rather. Non ideo negare volo ne peream, sed ideo mentiri nolo ne peccem, saith she upon the rack, of whom St Jerome writeth. The officers of Merindol answered the bishop that moved them to abjure, that they marvelled much that he would persuade them to lie to God and the world. And albeit that all men by nature are liars, yet they had learned by the word of God that they ought diligently to take heed of lying in any matter, be it never so small, &c.
Every man a liar] So he is either by imposture, and so in purpose, or by impotence, and so in the event, deceiving those that rely upon him, Psalms 62:9 .
That thou mayest be justified in thy sayings] David speaketh of the truth of Nathan's reprehension; Paul applies it to the truth of God in his promises also. Let us give him a testimonial, John 3:33; such as is that Deuteronomy 32:4; "A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."
And mightest overcome] Mayest be pure, saith David, Psalms 51:4. Zacah in the Syriac is used for overcoming. Vincit veritas, et dare non dignis res mage digna Deo est.