If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not
The danger the person was in; or the innocency of his cause; or
what method to take to deliver him; or that it was in our power
to do anything for him; so the Vulgate Latin version, "if thou
sayest, strength is not sufficient": or "we knew him not"
F11, who he was or what he was; had no
knowledge of him, or acquaintance with him, and so did not think
ourselves under any obligation to regard his case; such excuses
will not do; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider
[it]?
he that searches the heart and tries it, and weighs every thought
of it, and excuse it makes, considers and understands whether it
is a mere excuse or not; though such excuses may appear plausible
to men, yet to God that knows the heart they are of no avail; for
he knows it to be a mere shift, and that it was unwillingness to
help the distressed, and a neglect of their case; and that all
that is said on their own behalf is a vain pretence; and he
that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]?
he that upholds it in life, and whose visitation preserves it,
and therefore should be careful of the life of another; and if
not, may justly fear the Lord will withdraw his care and
preservation of them; he knows perfectly well what regard a man
has to the welfare of another, or to the preservation of another
man's life when in danger; and whether what he says on his own
behalf is well founded: or "he that observeth thy soul" {l}; all
the inward motions of it, the thoughts, affections, purposes, and
inclinations; he knows whether what is said is true or not;
and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his
works?
and behave towards him according to the law of retaliation; the
same measure he measures to others, he will measure to him again;
and who having shown no mercy in saving the lives of others, when
he could have done it, shall have judgment executed on him
without mercy, when he is in distress.