1:12 from everlasting. As the eternal God of history and Lord of His people, He is free to choose the agents of chastisement.

my God, my Holy One. A personal relationship to the incomparable God, the Holy One, turns confusion into conviction that the present anguish will not be the end.

O Rock. This ancient Mosaic name for God emphasizes divine dependability and protection (Deut. 32:4 note).