God's ways vindicated.
In this verse three important questions are asked, and in the answers to these lies the clear vindication of God's ways in his dealings with transgressors.
I. "IS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD STRAITENED?" i.e. when his judgments overtake men for their sins, is this to be regarded as a token that God's loving kindness and long suffering have failed? No; his compassions never fail. "His mercy endureth forever." What, then, is the explanation? It is that such Divine judgments are imperatively demanded. They are so:
1. In vindication of the Divine rectitude. If sin went unpunished, the Divine righteousness might, indeed, be questioned. It was this consideration, and not a spirit of vindictiveness which called forth "the imprecatory psalms," in which chastisement was invoked upon the workers of iniquity.
2. In the interest of the wrong doers themselves. It is not for the advantage of transgressors themselves that they should be allowed to go on unblushingly in sin. The Divine long suffering may operate in checking and bringing such to a stand; in chastening them with a view to their reformation.
3. In order to the promotion of the well being of society at large. Jehovah is the sovereign Ruler; the universe is his domain; and it may be essential, in order to the good of the race, that he should at times interpose in judgment. "When his judgments are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants thereof learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9).
II. "ARE THESE HIS DOINGS?" i.e. is God the Author and Cause of the evils men have to experience when they stray from righteousness? No; he cannot be; these are to be traced to the wrong doers themselves, and are the outcome of their misdeeds. The sinner is his own punisher. The woes which befall him he has worked out for himself. "Judas fell from the ministry and apostleship, that he might go to his own place." "Men meet with all sorts of bitter, painful, and had things in their life, just because they are bitter, painful, and bad themselves, and do not see that this is the root of their misery" (Bushnell).
III. "DO NOT MY WORDS DO GOOD TO HIM THAT WALKETH UPRIGHTLY?" Assuredly; and hence, if this good is missed, must it not be because there is a lack of obedience in those who miss it, so that the responsibility is entirely theirs?