If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities
Or "observe" F6 them. Not but that God does observe
the sins of men: he sees all the evil actions of bad men done in
the dark, which cannot hide them from him; and all the iniquities
of good men, so as to correct and chastise for them, but not with
his eye of vindictive justice. Or "keep" F7 them;
should he keep a watchful eye over them, make strict inspection
into them, enter into a critical examination of them, and of all
their aggravated circumstances; should he keep them in mind and
memory, retain them in the book of his remembrance; should he lay
them up, and keep them sealed among his stores, in order to be
brought to light, and brought out as charges another day, and to
the condemnation of men; should he set them before him in the
light of his countenance, and not cast them behind his back and
into the depths of the sea; should he visit for them in a way of
wrath, or enter into judgment on account of them, with men in
their own persons; demanding satisfaction for them at their own
hands, without any regard to the sacrifice and satisfaction of
his Son; all a man's righteousness, repentance, humiliation and
tears, would stand him in no stead, would not answer for him, or
atone for his sins; still his iniquities would remain marked
before God; the consequence of which would be eternal damnation,
( Jeremiah
2:22 ) ;
O Lord, who shall stand?
Not one; since all are sinners. The Arabic version adds, "before
thee"; in his presence; in the house and courts of God, there to
minister before him; to pray and praise, to preach and hear: or
at his bar hereafter, with any boldness and confidence; so as to
litigate the point with him in his court of judicature, before
angels and men, and so as to carry the cause; the wicked shall
not stand in judgment, ( Psalms 1:5 ) . Or who
can stand before his vindictive justice, or bear his wrath and
vengeance? No one can. See ( Nahum 1:6 ) ( Malachi 3:2 ) (
Revelation 6:17 ) .