6. when I passed by—as if a traveller.
polluted in … blood—but Piscator, "ready to be trodden on."
I said—In contrast to Israel's helplessness stands God's omnipotent word of grace which bids the outcast little one "live."
in thy blood—Though thou wast foul with blood, I said, "Live" [Grotius]. "Live in thy blood," that is, Live, but live a life exposed to many deaths, as was the case in the beginnings of Israel's national existence, in order to magnify the grace of God [Calvin]. The former view is preferable. Spiritually, till the sinner is made sensible of his abject helplessness, he will not appreciate the provisions of God's grace.