John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 5:29

"Shall I not visit for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" — Jeremiah 5:29 (ASV)

He repeats what we have previously noted, so there is no need for an explanation. But the repetition is not without its purpose, for the Jews had become so sluggish that all rebukes and threats were regarded with indifference. Therefore, God rouses them with great intensity, Shall I not, he says, visit for these things?

He takes it for granted that we should be fully convinced that he is the judge of the world. It is the proper role of a judge to punish the wicked, relieve the helpless and oppressed, and restrain the audacity of those who allow themselves every liberty. God then reasons here from his own nature and office, as if he had said, “Since I am God, can I allow so much impiety and recklessness to prevail unpunished among my people?”

On such a nation as this, shall not avenged be my soul?

God attributes to himself here, as we have said elsewhere, what does not strictly belong to him. But it is as if he had said, “There is no one among earthly judges so devoid of feeling as to bear such indignities; for when a judge sees that he is treated with contempt by the wicked, is he not provoked?” Avenged then shall be my soul; as if he said, that he is not so soft, or so slothful, or so careless, as not to take vengeance on such reckless contempt.