John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 10:24

"O Jehovah, correct me, but in measure: not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing." — Jeremiah 10:24 (ASV)

O Lord, correct me, but with judgment
The prophet here represents the body of the Jewish nation, especially the godly among them; he considers the troubles coming upon the nation as a correction and chastisement of the Lord; he does not refuse it, or desire it might not come upon them; he knew the chastisements of a father are for good; he only entreats it might be "with judgment"; not in strict justice, as his and the sins of his people deserved, then they would not be able to bear it; but in measure and moderation, with a mixture of mercy and tenderness in it; and in a distinguishing manner, so as to make a difference between his own people and others, in the correction of them; see (Ezekiel 34:16Ezekiel 34:17) :

not in your anger ; in vindictive wrath, and hot displeasure, which is elsewhere deprecated by the saints, (Psalms 6:1) (38:1) :

lest you bring me to nothing ; or "lessen me" ^F5 , or "make me little"; or make us few, as the Arabic version; or bring to a small number, as the Syriac; and so to utter ruin.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F5: (ynjemt Np) "ne imminuas me", Munster, Calvin, Cocceius; "ne diminuere facias me", Pagninus, Montanus; "ne paucum reddas me", Schmidt.