Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
Because they rebelled against the words of God. There is in the Hebrew a play upon similar sounds - Himªruw (H4784) 'imreey (H561). God's words are those spoken in the Law and by the prophets.
And contemned the counsel of the Most High - another play upon like sounds in the Hebrew, `ªtsat (H6098) ... naa'aatsuw (H5006). His counsel is that which He gave them for their good (Proverbs 1:25; 2 Kings 17:13-14). Some even went so far as to sneer at God's counsel for destroying the impenitent, and saving only the godly in the day of visitation (Isaiah 5:19: cf. Psalms 106:13; Luke 7:30).