They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 9. Our. Some copies of the Septuagint read “their,” as if the enemy still spoke. But the people of God rather complain, that they are not so favoured with prodigies, as they had been formerly, and that the prophets did not publicly encourage them, (Bert.) or declare how long these miseries would continue; as the Hebrew may intimate. Calmet.—Prot. “neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.” Bible.—Yet neglecting the points, our version is accurate, and any one, or God, may be understood, (Bert.) as taking no cognizance of his people. Bible.—It is natural for those in distress to exaggerate; for they know that many wonders were wrought, and that prophets were sent to instruct the captives. But they were not so common, nor the prophets so popular, or complaisant, as they could have wished: nor could they be so easily consulted at Babylon, Daniel being generally at Susa, or at court, and Ezechiel in higher Mesopotamia. Calmet.—They could not appear at the head of the people, to harangue in their defence, like Aaron. Exodus 7:1. Daniel 3:38. Bert.—The weak, therefore, complain, that they have no prophet to console ( Worthington.) them with miracles. Menochius.—But the more perfect answer, that God both hath and will relieve his people, verse 12. Worthington.