Vers. 2. To keepe backe the poore from iudgement, and to take away the iudge∣ment of the poore of my people, that wid∣dowes may bee their pray, and that they may spoile the fatherlesse.
TO keepe backe.] Others translate, To cause them to turne from: but the true sense is, To keepe backe the poore from defending their quar∣rell: or, To make them lose their suite. This is the iniquitie and oppression which hee men∣tioned in the former verse; to wit, that they plucked from the poore that right which be∣longed vnto them. They were defrauded that the rich might be gratified; and being vtterly spoiled of their liuings, they carried nothing away with them from the seate of iustice, but taunts and reproches. Now hee names the poore chiefly,* 1.1 because they are lightly desti∣tute both of mony and other helpes. Where∣as the Iudges and Magistrates then ought to haue aided them before the rest, they on the contrary tooke the greater liberty to op∣presse and tread them vnder foote with greater ignominie. For those who haue most riches, friends, credit, and fauour, are not so liable to oppression; because they haue wea∣pons in their fists wherewith they may both defend and reuenge themselues.* 1.2 But the Lord saith, hee hath a singular respect vnto the poore, which yet notwithstanding are for the most part despised: yea hee so regards them, that hee will not suffer the wrongs and iniu∣ries which haue been done vnto them to re∣maine vnpunished. For he hath not taken vp, on him the title of the protecter and defen∣der of the poore for nothing. In him it is then that the poore and weake ought to seek con∣solation; and therefore to endure their trou∣bles and miseries patiently, because God hath care ouer them, and will not suffer the harme that is done them to goe vnreuenged.
The rich and mightie are heere also admo∣nished, that they therefore laugh not in their sleeue, although God deferre their punish∣ment: for bee it that the poore be left desti∣tute of their right through iniustice; yet the Lord will iudge their cause, and take the maintenance of their right into his hands, who were thought to bee destitute of all helpe.