Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: my eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my body.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
10. "Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am troubled" (ver. 9). But what is this unlooked-for cruelty of the persecutors, striking such dread into me? "Have mercy on me, O Lord ." For I am now no more alarmed for death, but for torments and tortures. "Mine eye hath been disordered by anger." I had mine eye upon Thee, that Thou shouldest not abandon me: Thou art angry, and hast disordered it. "My soul, and my belly." By the same anger my soul hath been disturbed, and my memory, whereby I retained what my God hath suffered for me, and what He hath promised me.
11. "For my life hath failed in pain" (ver 10). For my life is to confess Thee, but it failed in pain, when the enemy had said, Let them be tortured until they deny Him. "And my years in groanings." The time that I pass in this world is not taken away from me by death, but abides, and is spent in groanings. "My strength hath been weakened by want" I want the heath of this body, and racking pains come on me: I want the dissolution of...
Belly, or entrails. (Menochius) (Lamentations i. 20., and Ecclesiasticus li. 29.) (Haydock)
David was filled with indignation at the conduct of his enemies. (Calmet)
Both soul and body felt the effects of his great sorrow, (Haydock) which pervaded every part. (Worthington)
