Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these (things), O Lord? - Wilt thou, notwithstanding these calamities of thy people, still refuse thy aid? (Isaiah 42:14.)
Remarks: In this appeal of Israel to God we have an admirable sample of what should be our prayer in times when seemingly all things go against us, and God has forsaken us. First, we must beseech God to open the "heavens," which are apparently shut against our cry, and to "come down" by His Spirit to our help, so that "mountains" of opposition may melt away at His presence. Next, we must appeal to His concern for the honour of His "name," which is at stake in the case of all who cry to Him. God's "terrible" doings, exceeding all expectation, are another strong ground of the believer's expectation that He will again interpose in behalf of His suffering people, and that mountain-like obstacles, as in times past, will disappear at His presence.