An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Or, he is as wise as he is strong. Some men have a great deal ⟨p. 169⟩of might, and they presently swell proudly, this spoils all; others have a great deal of might, but not a bit of wit, or wisdom, or understanding, how to dispose or make the best of it: But what a mighty God have we to do with! who is mighty, and despiseth no man; who hath, not only might of strength, but might of wisdom too. Thus we see how Elihu, in this latter part of the verse, advanceth or extolleth the mightiness of God, in these two things, the infinite Moderation and Wisdom, that go along with it and act it. I shall a little open both. First, his wonderful Moderation in the exercise of his mightiness; He is mighty, And despiseth not any.

Or, he is as wise as he is strong. Some men have a great deal ⟨p. 169⟩of might, and they presently swell proudly, this spoyls all; others have a great deal of might, but not a bit of wit, or wisdome, or understanding, how to dispose or make the best of it: But what a mighty God have we to do with! who is mighty, and despiseth no man; who hath, not only might of strength, but might of wisdome too. Thus we see how Elihu, in this latter part of the verse, advanceth or extolleth the mightiness of God, in these two things, the infinite Moderation and Wisdome, that go along with it and act it. I shall a little open both. First, his wonderful Moderation in the exercise of his mightiness; He is mighty, And despiseth not any.

To despise is an act of Pride; Pride is a bad Mother of many bad Children, these three especially. First, boasting of our selves. Secondly, contending with others. Thirdly, despising of others. The word here used signifies to despise with abhorrence or loathing, as the Stomach doth meat which is offensive to it;¹ ill savoured meat is loathsome, and any thing which the mind nauseates, is an abhorrence to us. The Lord despiseth not, he doth not nauseate any. The word any is not expressed in the Original Text, that saith only, The Lord is Mighty, and despiseth not; we put that supplement in our Translation, any; He is Mighty, and despiseth not any. Others render more strictly, thus, Behold, God is Mighty, and despiseth not his own people. The Chaldee Paraphrase speaks exegetically, The Lord is mighty, and despiseth not the righteous man. The Greek Version hath a fourth supplement, to the same purpose, God is mighty, and despiseth not the innocent person,