For my name's sake will I defer mine anger
From age to age, for those sins which had been committed, and continued in ever since they were a people. The above account of them shows that it was not for any merits of theirs, or any works of righteousness done by them, that he showed favour to them, as afterwards expressed; but for his own name's sake, and because of his glory; because these people were called by his name, and said to be his people, lest therefore his name should be reproached among the Heathen, or he should suffer any diminution of his glory, therefore he did not at once stir up all his wrath, as their sins deserved, but prolonged it from time to time: and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off:
that is, refrain mine anger from thee; or "seal" or "stop my nostrils" {c}, that the smoke of his wrath and anger might not go out from thence to destroy them. The Targum is,
``I will confirm (or establish) thee, that I may not consume thee;''and this he would do, because of his praise, of the praise of his mercy, grace, and goodness; and that he might have a people to praise him, which he would not, should they be cut off.