| Geneva Study Bible He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. Wesley's Notes 33:18 Keepeth - By his gracious admonitions whereby he leads him to repentance. King James Translators' Notes from perishing: Heb. from passing Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 18. his soul-his life. the pit-the grave; a symbol of hell. perishing by the sword-that is, a violent death; in the Old Testament a symbol of the future punishment of the ungodly. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 33:14-18 God speaks to us by conscience, by providences, and by ministers; of all these Elihu discourses. There was not then, that we know of, any Divine revelation in writing, though now it is our principal guide. When God designs men's good, by the convictions and dictates of their own consciences, he opens the heart, as Lydia's, and opens the ears, so that conviction finds or forces its way in. The end and design of these admonitions are to keep men from sin, particularly the sin of pride. While sinners are pursuing evil purposes, and indulging their pride, their souls are hastening to destruction. That which turns men from sin, saves them from hell. What a mercy it is to be under the restraints of an awakened conscience! | 
