What Does Psalms 39:2 Mean?

(2) **Even from good.**—This interpretation, while following the LXX., Vulg., and most ancient versions, is suspicious, since the particle, rendered *from, *is not generally used in this sense after a verb expressing silence. Indeed there is only one instance which at all supports this rendering (1Kings 22:3, margin). Nor does the context require or even admit it. If the bright side of things had been so evident that he could speak of it the Psalmist would not have feared reproach for doing so, nor was there cause for his silence “as to the law,” the rabbinical mode of explaining the passage. The obvious translation makes the clause parallel with that which follows: “I held my peace *without profit. *My sorrow was increased,” *i.e., *instead of lessening my grief by silence, I only increased it. **Stirred.**—The LXX. and Vulg. “renewed,” which is nearer the meaning than either the Authorised Version or margin.