Lamentations 4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said… 1. The office of the king, and so of every magistrate, is to protect and preserve the people in safety and peace, even as the breath that we draw in at our nostrils giveth life and health unto the body. (1) God hath given them power for the good, and not the harm, of the subjects. (2) They are God's lieutenants, who is the preservation and safety of all His creatures. (3) Else are the people subject to fall into all evils (Judges 17:6; Proverbs 19:12). 2. Kings and princes, when they sin against the Lord, axe subject to His punishing hand as well as meaner people. (1) God is no accepter of persons. (2) They have no more privilege promised them than others (1 Samuel 12:25). 3. It is the nature of man to promise himself all assurance, when the outward means seem strong for him. (1) Carnal reason doth regard nothing but the outward means. (2) Satan laboureth to make us secure thereupon, and not to look any further. 4. When God's people set their hearts too much on outward things He useth utterly to take them away from them. (1) Else they will forget to rely upon Him as they should. (2) He loveth them, and will force them from all affiance except Himself. (J. Udall.) Parallel Verses KJV: The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen. |
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