Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth
To what the Lord was about to say of his controversy with his
people, which was to be managed openly and publicly before them
as spectators and witnesses; this designs either strictly and
properly the heavens and the earth, or figuratively the
inhabitants of them, angels and men. The address is solemn, and
denotes something of moment and importance to be done and
attended to: see ( Deuteronomy
32:1 ) . The Targum is,
``hear, O ye heavens, that were moved when I gave my law to my people; and hearken, O earth, that trembleth before my word.''For the Lord hath spoken:
``my people, the house of Israel, whom I have called children,''as the Targum paraphrases it; see ( Exodus 4:22 ) to these, as a nation, belonged the adoption; they were reckoned the children of God; the Lord took notice and care of them in their infant state, brought them out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and fed them in it; brought them into Canaan's land, drove out the nations before them, and settled them there; gave them his laws and ordinances, distinguished them from all other nations by his favours, and raised them to a high estate, to much greatness and prosperity, especially in the days of David and Solomon. The words may be rendered, "I have magnified", or "made great, and have exalted children" F19; not only brought them up, but brought them to great honour and dignity; and even unto man's estate, unto the time appointed of the Father, when they should have been under tutors and governors no longer, but under the King Messiah; but they were rebellious, as follows: and they have rebelled against me,