Verse 1

Man. Jeremias had a share in the common misery, (Worthington) and bewails his own condition, as a figure of Christ, Psalm lxxxvii. 16., and Isaias liii. 3. (Calmet) --- His disciples must expect to suffer. (Haydock)

Verse 2

Led, or driven me with the rod. (Haydock) --- God employs two, Zacharias xi. 7. That of rigour was reserved for this prophet; (chap. xxxviii.) none of them suffered more.

Verse 4

Old and wrinkled, the effect of misery.

Verse 5

Gall. Septuagint, "head." Chaldean, "he hath seized the chief," Job xvi. 13. He speaks in the name of the besieged, who had been threatened with this punishment, ver. 19., and chap. viii. 14. (Calmet) --- And labour. Nabuzardan ransacked the city worse than his master, (Worthington) if the latter was at all present. (Haydock)

Verse 6

Ever indeed, Ecclesiastes xii. 5., and Psalm xlviii. 12. Jeremias (xxxviii. 6.) was in imminent danger.

Verse 8

Prayer. God would not allow him to pray for the people, chap. vii. 16.

Verse 9

Stones. There is no passage, Job xix. 8.

Verse 10

Places. This may refer to the prophet or to the people.

Verse 12

Arrows. Such places were common where shooting was practised, 1 Kings xx. 36., and Job xvi. 11.

Verse 14

Song. True prophets were derided on account of impostors, and because of their declarations were unpleasant, &c., chap. xvii. 15., and Ezechiel xii. 22.

Verse 15

Wormwood, or a bitter poisonous herb, chap. ix. 26., and Deuteronomy xxix. 18.

Verse 16

One. Hebrew, "against a stone." My bread is full of them, Psalm ci. 10. (Calmet) --- He describes his afflictions, as if his teeth had been broken. (Worthington)

Verse 18

End. Hebrew, "strength." Septuagint, "victory." (Calmet)

Verse 21

Hope. The remembrance fills him with grief and hope, chap. xx. 12. (Haydock)

Verse 22

CHAPTER III.

Verse 23

New. Novi should be novæ, to agree with miserationes. (Calmet) --- Chaldean, "new miracles" occur daily. (Haydock) --- God's mercies are ever fresh. (Worthington)

Verse 27

Yoke. Afflictions endured for justice sake ensure a blessing. (Haydock) --- All may derive great benefit from suffering.

Verse 28

Himself, with perfect resignation.

Verse 29

Hope. He does not doubt, but confides with great humility.

Verse 30

Him. We cannot verify this of the prophet as we can of Christ, (Matthew xxvi. 62.; Calmet) to whom this particularly refers. (Worthington)

Verse 33

Men. He punishes with regret, Ezechiel xviii. 23. Our crimes force him to chastise, ver. 36. (Calmet) --- Yet he seeks our advantage. (Worthington)

Verse 37

Commanded. Hebrew, "said: It cometh to pass," as if by chance. There have always been Epicureans, Ezechiel viii. 12., and Psalm xciii. 7. (Calmet) --- Those who deny Providence speak, ver. 30. (Worthington)

Verse 39

Sins? If all happened by inevitable necessity, or according to the laws of Providence, why should any one complain?

Verse 41

Up. This posture "is the testimony of a soul naturally Christian." (Tertullian, Apol.) --- Our heart must accompany our hands, 1 Timothy ii. 8. (Calmet)

Verse 42

Inexorable. Hebrew and Septuagint, "Thou hast not shewn pity." (Haydock)

Verse 43

Covered thyself, as if not to see our distress.

Verse 44

Cloud. Isaias lix. 2., and Ecclesiasticus xxxv. 21. These expressions are admirable.

Verse 47

Prophecy. Many would read, vastatio. Hebrew, "ruin." Septuagint, "taking away." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction." The prophets were continually in danger. (Haydock) --- The preaching of false prophets has brought these evils upon the people. (Worthington)

Verse 51

Wasted. Literally, "robbed." (Haydock) --- I have felt more for my people than they have themselves. Moral writers often product this text, to shew the dangers of an unguarded glance (Calmet) at women.

Verse 53

Over me, as if I were buried. (Haydock) --- Jeremias was in prison (chap. xxxviii. 6.) when he prayed, ver. 54., and chap. xx. 7. (Calmet)

Verse 59

Judge what they have judged unjustly. (Worthington)

Verse 62

Lips; or language (Genesis xi. 1.) thou knowest, ver. 60.

Verse 63

Up, all their conduct. --- Song. Ver. 14.

Verse 65

Buckler, to cover all the body. They shall be surrounded with misery, (Psalm cviii. 29.) while God will protect his servants, Psalm v. 13. (Calmet) --- Let sorrow pierce their heart, as thy enemies are treated. (Worthington)