4. judge--see that impartial justice is done them. "Judge" may mean
here "rule," as in
Ps 67:4.
reprove--or, "argue"; "decide." But
LOWTH, "work conviction in."
earth--Compare with
Mt 5:5,
and Re 11:15.
earth--its ungodly inhabitants, answering to "the wicked" in the
parallel, and in antithesis to the "poor" and "meek," namely, in spirit,
the humble pious
(Mt 5:3).
It is at the same time implied that "the earth" will be extraordinarily
wicked when He shall come to judge and reign. His reign shall therefore
be ushered in with judgments on the apostates
(Ps 2:9-12;
Lu 18:8;
Re 2:27).
rod of . . . mouth--condemning sentences which proceed from His
mouth against the wicked
(Re 1:16; 2:16; 19:15, 21).
breath of . . . lips--his judicial decisions
(Isa 30:28;
Job 15:30;
Re 19:20; 20:9-12).
He as the Word of God
(Re 19:13-15)
comes to strike that blow which shall decide His claim to the kingdom,
previously usurped by Satan, and "the beast" to whom Satan delegates
his power. It will be a day of judgment to the Gentile dispensation, as
the first coming was to the Jews. Compare a type of the "rod"
(Nu 17:2-10).
JFB.
Picture Study Bible