9.
For my Names sake will I defer mine anger,] q. d. Yet for all this, though thou wast a transgressor from the womb, I will defer mine anger towards thee for my Names sake.
For my Names sake] i. e. For mine own sake, lest the Babylonians should blaspheme and say, that I was not able to deliver my people, if I should not deliver them out of their captivity. See vers. 19.
Will I defer mine anger,] i. e. Will I slack mine anger; for anger deferred slack∣eth and waxeth cold.
And for my praise will I refrain for thee,] i. e. And for thy sake, and for my praise sake, that I may be praised for my mercy towards thee, will I refrain and keep in mine anger.
For two ends doth the Lord say here, that he will refrain his anger towards the Jews: The first is for the Jews good; for is it not good for them, if God sheweth mercy to them? The second is for his own praise sake, that men may praise him for his mercy. And of these two ends, the praise of God is the chiefest and ultimate end: and the good of the Jews is but sub∣ordinate to this.
That I cut thee not off.] Supple, Totally or wholly.