An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

Lastly, there is a weakness of the hands (which is I conceive most proper to this place) arising from sorrow and grief; from the weight and burden of affliction, or from a sudden surprise of trouble. As it is said of Balteshazar (Dan. 5. 6.) who seeing the hand-writing upon the plaster of the wall, presently changed countenance, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Lastly, there is a weaknesse of the hands (which is I conceive most proper to this place) arising from sorrow and griefe; from the weight and burthen of affliction, or from a sudden surprise of trouble. As it is said of Balteshazar (Dan. 5. 6.) who seeing the hand-writing upon the plaister of the wall, presently changed countenance, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joynts of his loynes were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Thou hast strengthened the weak hands; that is, those whose hands are weak by reason of manifold trials and tribulations: thou hast spoken words to them, which have been as sinews to their hands, and strength unto their joints. In this sense the Apostle uses both the expressions of the Text, Heb. 12. 6. where having treated about the nature of afflictions, together with the fruit and benefit of them, he concludes thus, wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees; as if he should say, it is probable that affliction hath made your hands hang down, that sorrow and grief have loosened your spirits and your loins too, therefore now be of good cheer, lift up your hands that hang down, and the feeble knees. Thy Symptom or effect of sorrow is elegantly ¹described, Ezek. 7. 17. where the Prophet having showed that many should mourn as Doves of the Valleys, adds, all hands shall be feeble and all knees shall be weak as water.