Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. O Lord God of hosts ] This was a proper view to take of God.
when Israel, a handful of poor distressed captives were surrounded and oppressed by the heathen chiefs above mentioned, and their several tribes.
But Jehovah God of hosts, was the God of Israel; and hence Israel had little to fear.
Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. ] Do not favour the cause of these wicked men. They are wa ydgb bogedey aven, "changers of iniquity:" they go through the whole round of evil; find out and exercise themselves in all the varieties of transgression. How exactly does this apply to Nehemiah's foes! They sought, by open attack, wiles, flattery, foul speeches, fair speeches, threats, and ambuscades, to take away his life. Do not show them favour, that they may not succeed in their wicked designs. The prayer here is exactly the same in sentiment with that of Nehemiah, iv. 4, 5. Hear, our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach upon their own heads; - cover not their iniquity, "and let not their sin be blotted out."
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - In these words we hear the voice of David when a prisoner in his ow house; the voice of Christ when surrounded by his merciless enemies the voice of the church when under bondage in the world; and the voic of the Christian when under temptation, affliction, and persecution And thus earnestly should we pray daily, to be defended and delivere from our spiritual enemies, the temptations of Satan, and the corruptions of our own hearts. We should fear suffering as evil-doers but not be ashamed of the hatred of workers of iniquity. It is no strange, if those regard not what they themselves say, who have mad themselves believe that God regards not what they say. And where ther is no fear of God, there is nothing to secure proper regard to man.
Original Hebrew ואתה859 יהוה3068 אלהים430 צבאות6635 אלהי430 ישׂראל3478 הקיצה6974 לפקד6485 כל3605 הגוים1471 אל408 תחן2603 כל3605 בגדי898 און205 סלה׃5542
