Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal

Verse 3

3. Israel gratefully acknowledges in reply God's past grace; but at the same time tacitly implies by the expression "of old," that God does not appear to her now. "God appeared to me of old, but now I am forsaken!" God replies, Nay, I love thee with the same love now as of old. My love was not a momentary impulse, but from "everlasting" in My counsels, and to "everlasting" in its continuance; hence originated the covenant whereby I gratuitously adopted thee (Malachi 1:2; Romans 11:28; Romans 11:29). Margin translates, "from afar," which does not answer so well as "of old," to "in the wilderness" (Jeremiah 31:2), which refers to the olden times of Israel's history.

with loving kindness . . . drawn— (Hosea 11:4). Rather, "I have drawn out continually My loving kindness toward thee." So Psalms 36:10, "Continue (Margin, 'Draw out at length') Thy loving kindness." By virtue of My everlasting love I will still extend My loving kindness to thee. So Psalms 36:10- :, "O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me."

Be the first to react on this!

Scroll to Top

Group of Brands