Verse 9
9. Bit and bridle That is, by harsh and forcible means. A different class is here addressed, and the language and figures are correspondent. They cannot be trusted upon the ground of reasonableness or moral obligation, but must be governed by force or powerful constraints. Proverbs 26:3.
Mouth The Hebrew word almost always means ornament, but it is absurd to force this sense upon it here, as some do. In Psalms 103:5 it means “mouth,” and the whole connexion and imagery of the present text require the same signification here.
Lest they come near unto thee “[Otherwise] they come not near to thee.” The coming “near” is not to be understood as for injury, but for submission and service. “Irrational and obstinate animals do not approach men unless tamed by compulsory means.” Moll. The point of the exhortation is, that we should submit to God, and obey freely from rational conviction, not requiring, as in the case of brute animals, that compulsory force or physical chastisements should be applied. James 3:3
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