Psalms

Introduction to the chapter

PSALM XXXVIII. (DIXI CUSTODIAM.)

A just man's peace and patience in his sufferings; considering the vanity of the world, and the providence of God.

Psalms 38:1

Ver. 1. Idithun was one of the four chief masters of music, called Ethan, 1 Par.

vi. 44. and Idithun ib. xvi. 41. Some think that he was the author of this psalm; but it was rather given to him by David to sing. C. --- The title shews that the psalms were designed for the public service of the Church, and not for David alone. Bert. --- This refers to the Christian Church, though some explain it of the Jews in captivity, (W.) with R. Salomon, while others think that it was composed during some of David's persecutions. It is connected with the preceding, and with the two next psalms. C.

Psalms 38:2

Ver. 2. Tongue. The matter is very delicate and important. James iii. 2. Prov.

xviii. 21. Is.

xxxii. 17. Eccli. xxii. 33. and xxviii. 28. --- Me, and was treating me with injustice and calumny.

H. --- Chilo, the sage, said: "I know how to bear ill treatment," (Laert. 1.) and this is a proof of

"the greatest wisdom and virtue." H. --- Outos kratistos. Menand. C. --- Weak men seek revenge; but the wise resolve to govern their tongues, and do not stand up in their own just defence, though they be, therefore, more persecuted. W.

Psalms 38:3

Ver. 3. Renewed. I was conscious of no offence against my enemies, (H.) but I reflected that I had forfeited my virtue, (Euseb.) and therefore gave vent to my grief. H. --- Being afraid of saying anything amiss, I refrained from saying what was good. But I perceived that this was wrong. S. Aug. --- I deprived myself of all pleasure. C. --- The seven first verses detail the arguments used by philosophers to comfort men, which all prove of little service. We must have recourse to God, v. 8. Bert.

Psalms 38:4

Ver. 4. Out. This alludes to his sorrow for his sins, (Orig.) or to the fire of charity, which is enkindled by meditation on the last end, &c. (v. 5.) or rather it means, that while he repressed his tongue, he could not but feel an inward zeal and indignation, (C.) in consequence of grief suppressed. W. --- See Jer.

xx. 9. M.

Psalms 38:5

Ver. 5. End, as I desire to die, like Elias, 3 K. xix. W. --- The just have frequently expressed such sentiments, to move God to pity, (Job vii. 1. Ps. ci. 4.) though they wished to live, that they might praise God on earth, (C.) if it were his will.

H. --- This text may indicate the impatience (Bert.) of the mere philosopher, (H.) or David desires to know to what a decree of perfection he must arrive.

Orig. S. Amb.

Psalms 38:6

Ver. 6. Measurable. Heb. "of a hand's breadth." H. --- Sym. "a spithame, or twelve fingers'

breadth," perhaps in allusion to the Greek proverb, a "spithame of life;" which denotes one very short. Drus. --- The Gr. copies vary: some read, (C.) with the Vat. palaias, "ancient;" and others of the palestra with the Alex. palaistas, or

"contentious." I am obliged always to wrestle with my adversaries. Grot. --- My days are short, and spent in conflicts. H. --- S. Chrys. S. Amb. &c.

mention both. The former word is adopted by the Arab. Ethiop, &c.; but the Heb. has tephachoth, "of a palm," or four fingers' breadth; (C.) and S. Jer.

breves, "short." H. ---

Substance. S. Jer. "life." Heb. "age." --- Living. Heb. "standing," how well soever he may seem to be established. Prot. "at his best estate, is altogether vanity. Selah." H. --- The wisest of men confirms this at large, Eccli. i. 1. C.

Jam. iv. 14. --- "What is this long while which has an end?"

Cic. pro. Marcel. M.

Psalms 38:7

Ver. 7. Image, "of God." S. Greg. &c. Heb. "in a shadow or darkness," where the fall of a leaf affrights him. Life is so short and miserable, why should we strive to heap up riches? C. --- For whom. Heb. "who shall gather," &c. H. --- The term is used respecting harvest rather than money. C. --- Heb. has disquieted in the plural, and the rest of the words in the singular; but S.

Jerom agrees with us, conturbatur...& ignorat cui dimittat ea. H. --- The prophet still utters complaints. One step farther is necessary to ensure peace. Bert. ---

He acknowledges that his life is but a shadow, and what we ought not to grieve for temporal losses. W.

Psalms 38:8

Ver. 8. Substance. Sept. hypostasis. Heb. "hope." H. --- I can depend only on thee. C.

Psalms 38:9

Ver. 9. Thou hast. Heb. lo, "do not;" ne, or nonne; or "hast thou not made?" &c.

as the following verse intimates. Bert. --- Thou hast suffered me to be reproached by the foolish, who prosper in this world. W. --- The fool may denote the devil, (S. Jer. Orig.) and all the lovers of iniquity.

Flam. C.

Psalms 38:10

Ver. 10. It. S. Aug. reads "me," conformably to some copies of the Sept. Arab,

&c. C. --- He is at a loss to explain the reason of the prophet, and suggests that this perhaps ought to be referred to the following sentence, " Because thou hast made me, remove, " &c. H. --- Such is the inconvenience of having incorrect copies. Amama. --- The Alex. and Vat. Sept. both have me, (H.) which his omitted in Complut. C. --- David knew that he was scourged by divine Providence. W.

Psalms 38:11

Ver. 11. In (thy) rebukes, belongs to the next verse in Heb. and Sept. referring to man in general, unless the prophet mean himself. Bert.

Psalms 38:12

Ver. 12. Spider. S. Jer. "moth." Sym. "thou dissolvest like corruption his desirable thing;" (H.) which means the soul, (Bert.) or "beauty." Prot. Remorse of conscience and God's judgments make a man pine away. --- Disquieted is obelized in the Sept. S. Jer. ad Sun. C. --- It is not found in the Alex. and Comp.

edit. (H.) and seems to be taken from v. 7. It does not alter the sense.

Bert. --- "Man is vanity always." S. Jer. --- As a spider which has consumed its moisture, so he decays. W.

Psalms 38:13

Ver. 13. Were. 1 Par. xxix. 15. I can expect aid from no other but thee. C. ---

Heaven is our home. W. --- "Life is a travelling from home." Plato in Axiocho.

Psalms 38:14

Ver. 14. More. In a state to do good. W. --- Grant me relief. Eccle. ix. 10. Job vii.

8. C.