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And none considereth in his heart - Margin, ‹Setteth to.‘ He does not place the subject near his heart or mind; he does not think of it. A similar phrase occurs in Isaiah 46:8: ‹Bring it again to mind.‘ It is a phrase drawn from the act of placing an object near us, in order to examine it closely; and we express the same idea by the phrase ‹looking at a thing,‘ or ‹looking at it closely.‘ The sense is, they had not attentively and carefully thought on the folly of what they were doing - a sentiment which is as true of all sinners as it was of stupid idolaters.

An abomination - A name that is often given to an idol 2 Kings 11:5, 2 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:13. The meaning is, that an idol was abominable and detestable in the sight of a holy God. It was that which he could not endure.

Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? - Margin, ‹That which comes of.‘ The word בוּל bûl means properly “produce, increase,” and here evidently a stock or trunk of wood. So it is in the Chaldee.

Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell down before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Man greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed on ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God, turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affections are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are our hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They will certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings, as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul, must question his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?