Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. The just. Christ, ( Calmet.) Josias, (Grot.) or any whose cause is just, yet finds no protection from such corrupt magistrates. Bible.—Evil, by the wicked, or to prevent his fall. 4 Kennicott. 12:20. People little consider what a loss the world sustains, when those die who might have averted the divine wrath. Calmet.—They are usually taken away, that they may not witness such misfortunes, and are settled in eternal peace. Worthington.
Verse 2. Bed. The grave which affords rest to the virtuous, Josias, and so forth Calmet.
Verse 3. Sorceress. Septuagint “lawless” children. Bible.
Verse 4. Tongue, in contempt. Saints, and particularly Jesus Christ, have been exposed to ridicule.
Verse 5. Comfort. Hebrew “heat,” abandoning yourselves to shameful excesses.—Torrents, to avoid being seen. Such sacrifices would have been incredible, if the Scriptures, and all history did not prove their existence. Deuteronomy 12:31. Wisd. 12:3 and 4 Kennicott. 23:10.
Verse 6. Them. The stones of the torrent, which were often the objects of adoration. Leviticus 26:1. Genesis 28:18. The god, Helagabalus, was a rough boundary stone.
Verse 7. Bed, like a shameless prostitute. The idols are generally represented in this light, as corrupting God’s people. Calmet.
Verse 8. Remembrance. Domestic gods. Saint Jerome The Lares or Penates were usually placed in the court or porch. The Jews probably used Hecate or Trivia, for the same purpose. Calmet. 65:11 and 66:17. To prevent this impiety, God had ordered some of the law to be written on the doors. Deuteronomy 6:9. But this it seems was disregarded. 4 Kennicott. 23:8 and 1 Maccabees 1:58. Ezekiel 8:5.—Near me. Idols were placed in the very temple. Jeremiah 35:15 and 4 Kennicott. 21:4. Ezekiel 8:3 and 16:17. Calmet.—Hand. Prot. “where thou sawest it.” Thou didst even invite thy lovers by presents. Ezekiel 16:32. Bible.
Verse 9. King. Moloc, or ( Calmet.) any foreign king, of whose alliance God did not approve. Theod.—To please them, the true religion was adulterated.
Verse 10. Rest. They were obstinate before the coming of Nabuchodonosor, and of the Romans.—Asked. Confiding in their own strength.
Verse 11. Afraid, since thou hast despised my, my laws and offers.
Verse 12. Justice. He speaks ironically. Calmet.—Self-righteousness is vicious. Bible.
Verse 13. Companies, or princes, in whom thou hast confided. Assyria and Egypt cannot save themselves. Calmet.
Verse 14. And I. Seeing there is no aid in man, God will save his people for his own goodness’ sake. Bible.
Verse 16. End. I will not always threaten or be angry. Genesis 6:3. Calmet.—Spirit. Holy Ghost. S. Iræn. verse 12. Saint Augustine—God spares the humble penitent, and grants what they desire with as much eagerness as a sailor does a fair wind. Worthington.—He does not regard the indifferent. Bible.
Verse 17. Heart. Dreadful state of the abandoned sinner! Deuteronomy 32:21. Psalms 12:2 and 43:24.
Verse 19. Lips. Whatever they could ask, so that they might sing canticles. All should be content. He alludes to the liberation of the captives, which was near, and to the redemption of mankind far off. Calmet.
Verse 20. Dirt. Lit. “treading,” conculcationem. Bible.—The works of the wicked are fruitless. They have no content. Calmet.
Non enim gazæ neque consularis
Summovet lictor miseros tumultus,
Mentis et curas laqueata circum,
Tecta volantes. Hor. ii. ode 16.
—The obstinate sinner can receive no pardon. Worthington.
Sheol is the place of the dead.