He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
The chapter is built as an acrostic in which each successive group of three verses begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. That ordered structure is especially remarkable in a book that expresses deep anguish, and it may draw attention to its words. The verse teaches that one who has taken a burden upon himself should sit in solitude and keep silence beneath it.
It reveals abundant mercy, pity, and faithfulness toward weak and tempted people. There is assurance that weakness is not met with reproach, but with help in time of need and liberal giving. He never leaves nor forsakes, He limits temptation, and He makes a way of escape. Distrust, faint-heartedness, murmuring, and doubting are therefore displeasing to Him and without ground.
The chapter is built as an acrostic in which each successive group of three verses begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. That ordered structure is especially remarkable in a book that expresses deep anguish, and it may draw attention to its words. The verse teaches that one who has taken a burden upon himself should sit in solitude and keep silence beneath it.
It reveals abundant mercy, pity, and faithfulness toward weak and tempted people. There is assurance that weakness is not met with reproach, but with help in time of need and liberal giving. He never leaves nor forsakes, He limits temptation, and He makes a way of escape. Distrust, faint-heartedness, murmuring, and doubting are therefore displeasing to Him and without ground.