Psalm 79:5
How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
How long, LORD, wilt thou be angry? for ever?.... That is, how long wilt thou be angry? shall it be for ever? see Psalms 85:4, for though what was done, or to be done, as before related, was or will be done by the enemies of the Lord's people, yet by his permission, and as a token of his anger and displeasure against them: at least it might be so understood, both by them and by their enemies; and hence this expostulation,
shall thy jealousy burn like fire? so jealousy does; its coals are coals of fire, Song of Solomon 8:6, there were, at the times referred to, such among the people, who did evil things, and provoked the Lord to jealousy and wrath: see the Apocrypha:
"And there was very great wrath upon Israel.'' (1 Maccabees 1:64)
"When this was done, and they had made a common supplication, they besought the merciful Lord to be reconciled with his servants for ever.'' (2 Maccabees 8:29)