Now will I rise, saith the Lord
At the last extremity, when things are come to a crisis; his
interest at the lowest, and the kingdom of antichrist at its
highest pitch; the whore of Rome triumphing over the slain
witnesses, and boasting she was a queen, and knew no sorrow: this
will be God's fit time to exert himself, and get him honour and
glory: he before was as one lain down and asleep, as if quite
negligent and careless about his honour and interest; but now he
determines to arise, and show himself strong on the behalf of it;
see ( Psalms
12:5 ) : now will I be exalted;
that is, in his power, by the destruction of the enemies of his
church; and in the hearts and mouths of his people, on account of
their deliverance and salvation: now will I lift up
myself;
show himself above his enemies, higher and greater than they, and
reduce them to a low estate and condition. The repetition of the
word "now" has its emphasis; and is designed to observe the time
of God's appearing in the cause of his people, and the fitness
and propriety of it; and to quicken their attention to it, as
well as to express the certainty of it, and the firmness of his
resolution to do it without delay, and the vehemence and ardour
with which he would set about it.