3 That is, the judgment of God was so heavy upon them that their hands were paralyzed, so that they were neither able to fight nor to take the spoil.—P.

6 Atⁱ thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse⁴ are cast into a dead sleep.

i Ex.15.1,21. Eze.39.20. Na.3.18. Zec.12.4. Is.37.36; 31.8. Re.2.22,23.

4 More accurately, 'Both the rider and horse are cast into a deep sleep.' This statement would apply well to the destruction of the vast host of Sennacherib, as recorded in 2 Ki.18.35.—P.

7 Thou,^j even thou, art to be feared: and ^kwho may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

j Je.10.7. Ps.111.9; 48.1; 89.7. Re.15.4; 14.7.

k Na.1.6. Job 41.10. Ps.90.11. Is.33.14. 1 Co.10.22. Re.6.16,17.

8 Thou^l didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

l Ex.19.10. Ju.5.20. 2 Ch.32.21-23; 20.29. Ps.46.10. Zec.2.13. Re.11.13.

9 When ⁿGod arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

n Ps.9.7,19; 7.6; 44.23,26; 78.65. Zep.3.8; 2.2,3.

10 Surely^o the wrath of man shall praise thee: the ^premainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

o Da.3.19,28. Ex.9.16; 18.11.

p Ps.65.7; 46.6,10; 138.7. Is.37.29. Re.11.17,18.

11 Vow,^q and⁵ pay unto the LORD your God: let ^rall that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.⁶

q Ec.4.5. Ps.50.14; 119.106?.

5 The Spirit thus 'speaketh to the churches.'—C.

r Ps.89.7; 68.29. 2 Ch.32.22,23.

6 Heb. to the fear, Ge.31.42. Is.8.13.

12 He^s shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

s Ps.2.5,10; 68.12,35; 48.4-6. 2 Ch.32.21. Is.xiii.-xxiv. Je.xxv. xlvi.-li. Eze.xxv.-xxxii. xxxviii. xxxix. Re.xiv.-xix.

Notes

Ver. 1. In Judah God is known. God was known in the doctrine that expressed his nature—in the commandments that prescribed his will—in the history that recorded his acts—and the prophecy that foretold his coming to salvation, victory, and judgment. C.

Ver. 4. This is a passage of great difficulty. May it not be paraphrased thus: 'Thou Zion, undistinguished among cities, art yet, as the dwelling-place of God, more excellent than them all; and thou, Salem, taught by thy very name to cultivate peace, art yet, in that peace of God, more glorious than the mountains of the warriors—their strongholds and fortresses—enriched and stored with all the spoils of conquest.' C.

Ver. 9. Though spoken of as an event past, these words are evidently a description of a time still future—a mode of speech common with the prophets (see, for example, Is. 5. 3), the time at which God will arise and have mercy upon Zion, and save in his judgment all the meek of the earth. C.

Reflections.—Happy are those nations and churches which have the knowledge and presence of God in them! How profitable, pleasant, and enriching! Gloriously he protects them in danger, and destroys their enemies, however mighty or numerous. Their tyrannical oppressors, though like mountains of prey, shall destroy themselves utterly. His meek ones must indeed patiently wait awhile; but at last he will, to the terror of all around, appear for their relief. Whatever his people suffer shall but brighten their graces and redound to his glory. And whatever of his enemies' fury hath not this tendency he restrains. The more awful our God and our deliverances are, the more ought we to wait on him, fear him, and make and pay grateful vows to him.