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Tremble therefore and be afraid, if not of me, yet at least of God, who hath engaged himself in my cause or quarrel, and will be an adversary to my adversaries. Or, be angry, as this word is here rendered by all the ancient and some modern translators, and, as it is thought, by the apostle, Eph_4:26. Or, are you angry? for it may be taken interrogatively. Admit you be angry or displeased that God hath preferred me, an obscure person, and of a mean family, before so many noble and mighty men; yet, or but, (as it follows,)
sin not, i.e. do not so far indulge your anger as to break forth into murmuring against God, or rebellion against me; but seasonably suppress and mortify your unadvised and sinful passion, lest it break forth to your own ruin. This Hebrew word signifies in general a vehement commotion of the mind or heart, whether through grief, as 2Sa_18:33; or fear, as Exo_15:14 Deu_2:25; or anger, as Gen_45:24 2Ki_19:27,28 Pr 29:9 Eze_16:42.
And sin not, by cherishing and prosecuting your anger and malice against me, and your rebellion against God’s authority.
Commune with your own heart upon your bed; calmly and deeply consider these things in your own breasts in the silent night, when you are at leisure from the crowd of distracting business, and free from the company of crafty and daubing parasites.
And be still; either,
1. As to your outward actions; for this verb oft signifies a cessation of actions, as Jos_10:13 Job_20:27. Proceed no further in your wicked speeches and contrivances against me. Or rather,
2. As to your inward passions. Compose your tumultuous minds; as this verb is used, Psa_37:7 62:2 137:2. Suppress your anger and rage, which though directed against me only, yet is indeed against God, and against his counsel and providence.