The sinners … hypocrites Rather: The sinners are afraid in Zion, trembling hath seized the impious (see on ch. Isaiah 9:17). An ungodly party still exists, in spite of the fact that Zion is filled with judgment and righteousness (Isaiah 33:5). The reason of their terror is expressed in what immediately follows.

Who among us shall dwell The questions are not merely rhetorical, introducing the description of the righteous man, as in Psalms 15:1; Psalms 24:3; but an exclamation put into the mouths of the sinners. They realise at last what Jehovah is, and begin to wonder how they can live with Him who is a consuming fire. The word "dwell" means strictly "sojourn as a protected guest," and is the same as that used in Psalms 15:1.

everlasting burnings There is of course no allusion here to eternal punishment. The "fire" is Jehovah's holiness, manifested in the destruction of His enemies; and this is called eternal because the Divine wrath against sin is inexhaustible.

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