Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 39:2

2. I was dumb with silence , I held my peace, even from good , and my sorrow was stirred .

I was so long, and so Obstinately silent, that I seemed to my self and to others to be Dumb. Two words put together, Expressing the same thing, to Aggravate or Increase it. Or, I was dumb with quietness, (i. e.) Not out of Sullenness, but with Submissiveness to God's Dispensations, which is oft noted by silence.

I forbare to speak what I justly might upon that occasion, l[illegible: 1+ letters]st, the Flood-gates of Speech being once opened, and Speech stirring up my Passion, I should by degrees break forth into some indecent and sinful Expressions, to the Dishonour of God, the wounding of m[illegible: 1+ letters]ne own Conscience, and the offence of others. Or, this may be a proverbial Speech signifying strict silence; Like that, Gen. 31. 29. speak to him neither good nor bad, (i. e.) Nothing at all, to wit, about that matter to perswade him to return.

My silence did not asswage my Grief but increase it, as it naturally and commonly doth.

Marginal references: Heb. Trouble[illegible: 1+ letters].