Jeremiah 10:24

O Lord, correct me, but with judgment
The prophet here represents the body of the Jewish nation, especially the godly among them; he considers the troubles coming upon the nation as a correction and chastisement of the Lord; he does not refuse it, or desire it might not come upon them; he knew the chastisements of a father are for good; he only entreats it might be "with judgment"; not in strict justice, as his and the sins of his people deserved, then they would not be able to bear it; but in measure and moderation, with a mixture of mercy and tenderness in it; and in a distinguishing manner, so as to make a difference between his own people and others, in the correction of them; see ( Ezekiel 34:16 Ezekiel 34:17 ) : not in thine anger;
in vindictive wrath, and hot displeasure, which is elsewhere deprecated by the saints, ( Psalms 6:1 ) ( 38:1 ) : lest thou bring me to nothing;
or "lessen me" ^F5, or "make me little"; or make us few, as the Arabic version; or bring to a small number, as the Syriac; and so to utter ruin.