Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Ver. 13. Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord] Heb. הס Peace and be still, as our Saviour once said to the raging sea, Mark 4:39, whereupon the wind ceased (which before had blown and blustered till it was weary again, as the Greek word there importeth) and there was a great calm, all was suddenly hushed, and silent (εκοπασεν). The enemies of the Church are no less brutish and boisterous than the fierce winds and waves (αγπια κυματα), Psalms 107:25,27. But God, who sets a bound to the mighty waters which they may not pass, Psalms 104:9, he also restraineth the remainder of man's wrath, Psalms 76:10. If he do but (as the Roman tribune was wont to do) interpose his veto. If he do but say (st) Be silent, O all flesh, σιγα λαος, plot not, prate not, practise not against my people, who dare quatch in his presence, or gainstand his commands (הס ησυχααετε)? Who art thou, O man, that chattest against God? saith Paul, Romans 9:20 "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without wisdom?" saith God to Job, Job 38:2. How now? Let all flesh be silent. Let God be justified, and every mouth stopped. Talk no more so exceeding proudly, let not arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked (whether they will or no) shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. "The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them," saith holy Hannah, 1 Samuel 2:3; 1 Samuel 2:9,10. And then they shall be glad to be quiet, and to save themselves as they can; like as the worms when it thunders wriggle into the corners of the earth; and as Caligula (that bold miscreant that dared his Jove to a duel), when it thundered, covered his eyes with his cap, running under the bed, or any bench hole (Sueton.).
O all flesh] Frail and foolish, weak and worthless men, who may not compare their wisdom or oppose their strength to God's; before whom they can no more stand than a glass bottle can before a cannon-shot. They should, therefore, do well to meddle with their match; and not "contend with him that is mightier than they," Ecclesiastes 6:10. The Church is called Jehovahshammah, or, The Lord is there, Ezekiel 48:35, and although she be but a virgin, yet she hath a thrice puissant champion, even the Holy One of Israel, Isaiah 22:23 .
Who is now also already raised up] Or aroused, awakened as a man out of sleep, Psalms 44:23, or as a giant that shouteth by reason of wine, Psalms 78:65 .
Out of his holy habitation] That is, out of heaven, Deuteronomy 26:15, where he hath bathed his sword, Isaiah 34:5, and bent his bow and made it ready, Psalms 50:12. Or out of his temple, which was likewise God's habitation, 1 Samuel 2:20, and thence God would help his people, as they once said to David at Mahanaim, 2 Samuel 18:3, Therefore now it is better that thou help us, or cause us to be helped, out of the city. Remarkable is that of the psalmist, "In Salem is God s tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah." Psalms 76:2,3. There? where? In the tabernacle, in the assemblies of God's saints. By all flesh here may also be meant the unbelieving Jews, who are enjoined silence and submission; they are styled here, as the Levites styled the people, saying, "Hold your peace," Nehemiah 8:11; dispute not, doubt not, distrust not God's promises, seem they never so improbable or impossible to be effected; hearken not to the murmurings of your own misgiving hearts, but silence your reason, exalt your faith.