Lift up thyself, thou, O Judge of the earth
A title very proper to Christ, and which is given him by Abraham,
( Genesis
18:25 ) , who then appeared to him in an human form, and with
whom he was conversing; he judges his own people on earth, all
judgment being committed to him by the Father; he judges and
chastises them, that they may not be condemned with the world; he
judges and distinguishes between them and the world; he protects
and defends them, he pleads their cause, and avenges them on
their enemies: and for this purpose he is requested to "lift up"
himself; being in the apprehension of his people as one laid down
and asleep, quite negligent and careless of them; and therefore
they desire that he would awake and arise, and exert his power,
and show himself higher than their enemies; that he would mount
his throne, and execute justice and judgment on the wicked,
agreeably to his character and office:
render a reward to the proud;
an evil reward, as the Targum; to proud persecutors of the
church, who through their pride persecute the poor saints; and to
render tribulation to them is but just with the Lord; to
antichrist, that exalts himself above all that is called God, and
to all his haughty and ambitious dependents and followers,
cardinals, bishops, priests