Aben Ezra gives a curious turn to this clause, which he translates thus: "He is mean and contemptible in his own eyes;" and it is certain that the original, samn wyny[b hzbn nibzeh beeynaiv nimas, will bear this translation. His paraphrase on it is beautiful: "A pious man, whatever good he may have done, and however concordant to the Divine law he may have walked, considers all this of no worth, compared with what it was his duty to do for the glory of his Creator." A sentiment very like that of our Lord, Luke xvii. 10: "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do." Taken in this sense, the words intimate, that the man who is truly pious, who is a proper member of the Church militant, and is going straight to the Church triumphant, is truly humble; he knows he has nothing but what he has received, he has no merit, he trusts not in himself, but in the living God. He renounces his own righteousness, and trusts in the eternal mercy of God through the infinitely meritorious atonement made by Jesus Christ.

The language of his heart is: ] "I loathe myself when God I see, And into nothing fall; Content that thou exalted be, And Christ be all in all." He honoureth them that fear the Lord - 8. This cause is a proof, however just the sentiment, that Aben Ezra has mistaken the meaning of the preceding clause. The truly pious man, while he has in contempt the honourable and right honourable profligate, yet honours them that fear the Lord, though found in the most abject poverty; though, with Job, on the dunghill, or, with Lazarus, covered with sores at the rich man's gate.

Character is the object of his attention; persons and circumstances are of minor importance.

The fear of the Lord is often taken for the whole of religion; and sometimes for that reverence which a man feels for the ma jesty and holiness of God, that induces him to hate and depart from evil. Here it may signify the lowest degree of religion, repentance whereby we forsake sin.

Sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. ] 9. If at any time he have bound himself by a solemn engagement to do so and so, and he finds afterwards that to keep his oath will be greatly to his damage; yet such reverence has he for God and for truth that he will not change, be the consequences what they may. He is faithful also to his promises; his bare word will bind him equally with an oath. He that will not be honest without an oath will not be honest with one.

The Hebrew might be thus translated: "He sweareth to afflict himself, and does not change;" and thus the Chaldee has rendered this clause. He has promised to the Lord to keep his body under, and bring it into subjection; to deny himself that he may not pamper the flesh, and have the more to give to the poor.

Matthew Henry Commentary

--Here is a very serious question concerning the character of a citize of Zion. It is the happiness of glorified saints, that they dwell in the holy hill; they are at home there, they shall be for ever there. I concerns us to make it sure to ourselves that we have a place amon them. A very plain and particular answer is here given. Those wh desire to know their duty, will find the Scripture a very faithfu director, and conscience a faithful monitor. A citizen of Zion i sincere in his religion. He is really what he professes to be, an endeavours to stand complete in all the will of God. He is just both to God and man; and, in speaking to both, speaks the truth in his heart He scorns and abhors wrong and fraud; he cannot reckon that a goo bargain, nor a saving one, which is made with a lie; and knows that he who wrongs his neighbour will prove, in the end, to have most injure himself. He is very careful to do hurt to no man. He speaks evil of n man, makes not others' faults the matter of his common talk; he make the best of every body, and the worst of nobody. If an ill-nature story be told him, he will disprove it if he can; if not, it goes n further. He values men by their virtue and piety. Wicked people ar vile people, worthless, and good for nothing; so the word signifies. He thinks the worse of no man's piety for his poverty and mean condition He reckons that serious piety puts honour upon a man, more than wealth or a great name. He honours such, desires their conversation and a interest in their prayers, is glad to show them respect, or do them kindness. By this we may judge of ourselves in some measure. Even wis and good men may swear to their own hurt: but see how strong the obligation is, a man must rather suffer loss to himself and his family than wrong his neighbour. He will not increase his estate by extortion or by bribery. He will not, for any gain, or hope of it to himself, d any thing to hurt a righteous cause. Every true living member of the church, like the church itself, is built upon a Rock. He that doet these things shall not be moved for ever. The grace of God shall alway be sufficient for him. The union of these tempers and this conduct, can only spring from repentance for sin, faith in the Saviour, and love to him. In these respects let us examine and prove our own selves __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew