II God answers, that the Chaldeans themselves shall at length be a prey, ver. 1-8. A woe denounced against the covetous, the oppressive, the drunkards, and idolaters, ver. 9-12.

1. Upon my watch - I will stand as a watchman on my watch- tower. He - The Lord. Reproved - Called to give an account of the mysteriousness of providence; either to satisfy doubters, or to silence quarrellers.

2. Upon tables - What was of publick concern, and therefore to be published, was anciently written or engraven upon tables, smooth stones, or wood, and then hung up in a publick place to be read. May run - That none may need to stop, but every one may plainly and clearly discern what is written.

3. At the end - When the period appointed of God shall come. Shall speak - Be accomplished, and not disappoint your expectation.

4. Which is lifted up - That proudly contests with the justice and wisdom of the Divine Providence, and provides for his own safety by his own wit. The just - The humble and upright one, who adores the depth of divine providence, and is persuaded of the truth of divine promises. Shall live - Supports himself, by a firm expectation of the deliverance of Zion.

5. He - The king of Babylon. Wine - Hereby Belshazzar, his city and kingdom of Babylon fell a prey to Darius and Cyrus. At home - Is ever abroad warring upon some or other. Unto him - To his kingdom. All nations - That are round about him.

8. Of the land - Of the whole land of Chaldea. The city - Babylon.

9. To his house - His family which he would enrich, and raise high. Delivered - Kept secure and out of danger from all below him.

10. Thou - Nebuchadnezzar.

11. Shall cry out - As if it had a voice, it cries to God for vengeance. Answer it - Confirm the charge against thee.

13. Is it not of the Lord - Is it not a judgment from God? Shall labour - That men go thro' the most painful labour. For very vanity - For nothing; without any reward of their labour.

16. Thou - O king of Babylon. Shall be turned - They turned the cup of pleasure about, God will carry the cup of indignation about also, and make them drink deep of it. Shameful spewing - Thou shalt be as much loathed as a shameful drunkard is in his vomit.

17. The violence - The violence thou hast done to Judea shall overwhelm thee. The spoil of brass - Such spoil as by hunters is made among wild beasts, when they endeavour to destroy the whole kind.