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A Plea for Mercy
v. 16. When I heard, my belly trembled, namely, with terror at the revelation of the mighty judgment of Jehovah, my lips quivered at the voice, so that he was unable to steady them; rottenness entered into my bones, a feeling of overpowering weakness, and I trembled in myself that I might rest in the day of trouble, quietly, in silent submission, awaiting the day of distress. When he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops, or, "when he comes up against the people who will attack it," when the conquest on the part of the invader may be expected.
v. 17. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive, as it brings forth its blossoms and yields its fruit, shall fail, shriveling up, and the fields shall yield no meat, no grain for food. the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls, orchards and cultivated fields are barren, granaries and barns are empty in consequence of the desolation of the land caused by the enemy;
v. 18. yet I will rejoice in the Lord, in spite of all these afflictions. I will joy in the God of my salvation, exulting in Him on whom the salvation of all mankind rests.
v. 19. The Lord God is my Strength, Psa_27:1, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, strong and sure-footed, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places, on the heights of salvation to which one climbs from the valley of affliction on the basis of the confidence of faith. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments, this being a note to the leader of the Temple-music, directing him to have the psalm accompanied by music on stringed instruments. The God of salvation is on the side of His children, so that they are safe in the midst of all their enemies and will eventually enjoy the fullness of the redemption earned and prepared by the Messiah.