Tried by the Lord

· When the LORD "tests" human hearts, the test, whatever form it takes, is designed to improve the value of the one being tested. NET Notes

· An emblematical proverb, which means that Jahve is for the heart what the smelting-pot (from צָרַף, to change, particularly to melt, to refine) is for silver, and what the smelting furnace (כוּר, from כּוּר, R. כר, to round, Exo_22:20) is for gold, that Jahve is for the heart, viz., a trier (בחן, to grind, to try by grinding, here as at Psa_7:10) of their nature and their contents, for which, of the proof of metals, is elsewhere (Pro_16:2; Pro_21:2; Pro_24:12) used the word (cf. בְּחוֹן, the essay-master, Jer_6:7) תֹּכֵן, weigher, or דּוֹרֵשׁ, searcher (1Ch_28:9). K&D

· So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which penetrate the soul, and give a man to see his state, so that he may apply to the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, to destroy what cannot stand the fire, to separate and burn up all the dross. Clarke