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.