Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets - i:e., I announced by the prophets that they should be hewn asunder, like trees of the forest. God identifies His act with that of His prophets; the word being His instrument for executing His will (Jeremiah 1:10; Ezekiel 43:3).
By the words of my mouth - (Isaiah 11:4; Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12).
And thy judgments - the judgments which I will inflict on thee, Ephraim and Judah (Hosea 6:4). So "thy judgments," - i:e., those inflicted on thee (Zephaniah 3:15).
Are as the light that goeth forth - like the light, palpable to the eyes of all, as coming from God, the punisher of sin. Henderson translates, 'lightning' (cf. margin, Job 37:3; Job 37:15).