Psa 31:9-14 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 9. Mine eye is consumed ] He now returns, and speaks of his present situation. Grief had brought many tears from his eyes, many agonies into his soul, and many distressful feelings into his whole frame. My soul and my belly. ] The belly is often taken for the whole body. But the term belly or bowels , in such as case as this, may be the most proper; for in distress and misery, the bowels being the most tender part, and in fact the very seat of compassion , they are often most affected. In Greek the word σπλαγχνον signifies a bowel , and σπλαγχνιζομαι signifies to be moved with compassion ; to feel misery in the bowels at the sight of a person in pain and distress.

‏ Psalms 31:9-14

Verse 9. Mine eye is consumed] He now returns, and speaks of his present situation. Grief had brought many tears from his eyes, many agonies into his soul, and many distressful feelings into his whole frame.

My soul and my belly.] The belly is often taken for the whole body. But the term belly or bowels, in such as case as this, may be the most proper; for in distress and misery, the bowels being the most tender part, and in fact the very seat of compassion, they are often most affected. In Greek the word σπλαγχνον signifies a bowel, and σπλαγχνιζομαι signifies to be moved with compassion; to feel misery in the bowels at the sight of a person in pain and distress.

Verse 10. My life is spent with grief] My life is a life of suffering and distress, and by grief my days are shortened. Grief disturbs the functions of life, prevents the due concoction of food, injures the digestive organs, destroys appetite, impairs the nervous system, relaxes the muscles, induces morbid action in the animal economy, and hastens death. These effects are well expressed in the verse itself.

My years with sighing] anachah. This is a mere natural expression of grief; the very sounds which proceed from a distressed mind; an-ach-ah! common, with little variation, to all nations, and nearly the same in all languages. The och-och-on of the Irish is precisely the same sound, and the same sense. Thousands of beauties or this kind are to be found in the sacred language.

Verse 11. I was a reproach] When proscribed at the court of Saul, my enemies triumphed, and loaded me with execrations; my neighbours considered me as a dangerous man, now deservedly driven from society; my acquaintance, who knew me best, were afraid to hold any communication with me; and they who saw me in my exile avoided me as if affected with a contagious disorder,

Verse 12. I am forgotten as a dead man] I am considered as a person adjudged to death. I am like a broken vessel-like a thing totally useless.

Verse 13. I have heard the slander of many] To this and the two foregoing verses the reader may find several parallels; Jer 18:18-19:15, and ten first verses of Jer 20:1-10. This has caused several to suppose that Jeremiah was the author of this Psalm.

Verse 14. But I trusted in thee] Hitherto thou hast been my Helper, and thou art my God; I have taken thee for my eternal portion.