Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The verb Shamar, which signifies to keep, is here put in the conjugation of Hiphil, and many expositors take it, to take heed; although they draw it amiss, and to a sense both constrained and besides the purpose, as if the Prophet had admonished Ahaz to take heed how he made war. The sentence is more simple, to wit, that he should not wax faint-hearted, nor waver doubtingly, but that he should be quiet & secure, therefore I have translated, Be assured. The sense is then, ⟨p. 76⟩that Ahaz should take such heart unto him, that at no hand he suffer himself to boil with impatience, neither to torment his mind with restless thoughts. For when men are once stricken with terror, their minds are tossed up & down and have no settled stay.

THe verb Shamar, which signifies to keepe, is here put in the coniugation of Hiphil, and many expositors take it, to take heed; although they draw it amisse, and to a sense both constrained and besides the purpose, as if the Prophet had admonished Ahaz to take heed how he made warre. The sentence is more simple, to wit, that he should not wax faint-hearted, nor wauer doubtinglie, but that he should be quiet & secure, therefore I haue translated, Be assured. The sense is then, ⟨p. 76⟩that Ahaz should take such heart vnto him, that at no hand hee suffer himselfe to boyle with impacience, neither to torment his minde with restlesse thoughts. For when men are once stricken with terror, their mindes are tossed vp & down and haue no setled stay.

This exposition is confirmed by the words which follow, Be still: for these two things are §1joined together: first, to stand quietly upon his watch, to the end he may not be distracted with divers thoughts, looking this way §2and that way: secondly, that he be still, and of a calm and quiet spirit within. And behold here the fruits agreeable to a justifying faith. For as the unbelievers waver and float in uncertainty in divers assaults, and know not to which end to turn them: so the faithful on the contrary are stayed, and cast themselves upon God with quiet minds. Impiety is never at rest: but where faith hath gotten strength; there we may see security and quietness of mind, not trembling beyond measure.