From above has he sent fire into my bones, and it prevails against them: he has spread a net for my feet, he has turned me back: he has made me desolate and faint all the day.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Bones: fortresses. (Theodoret)
I am like one in a burning fever, Ezechiel xxiv. 4. (Calmet)
Chastised. Literally, "instructed. "This is the good effect of affliction. (Haydock)
FROM ABOVE: the fifth topic of complaint.
Historical interpretation FROM ABOVE HE HAS SENT FIRE, of heavenly revenge, of which it is said in the Book of Job: The fire of God fell from heaven &c. FIRE, namely the aerial powers, who until this day have the power of tormenting the Jews. INTO MY BONES, so that the forces, namely, afflict and chastise them within and without, who would not hear God soothing, whence he adds: AND HE HAS CHASTISED ME. HE HAS SPREAD A NET FOR MY FEET, so that they should not go after pleasures and vain desires all the way to the end. HE HAS TURNED ME BACK through anguish and tribulations. HE HAS MADE ME DESOLATE: the Jews are desolate until the end of the world, and WASTED WITH SORROW.
Allegorical interpretation FROM ABOVE HE HAS SENT FIRE &c: those of the Jews, or of the gentiles, who believed and became one Church, rightly say: FROM ABOVE HE HAS SENT FIRE, that is the Holy Ghost from heaven, through whom every force of virtue is invigorated, and the Chu...
Mem- ‘from them’, by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, namely, she is chastised; it signifies the burning of the temple and the royal houses and the seizure and desolation of the whole city and of the fleeing from above- by supreme judgement.
sent fire- the Spirit; And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire.
my bones- the stronger.
chastised- thus
spread a net- of doctrine
for my feet- into my pleasures.
turned me back- from vices to virtues, from infidelity to faith; that I may hear the word of one admonishing behind the back.
made me desolate- (deprived) of earthly comfort.
all the day long- all the time.
wasted with sorrow- sorrow for the present life and longing for the future, whence: My tears have been my bread day and night
Here is considered the severity of a divine discipline, as the divine master teaches by hard lessons. This severity is done within corrections. As expressed: "From on high he sent fire." That is from a loftiness of counsel, "he sent fire": as an affliction, or by which a city is literally burnt.
Then,"into my bones": into our strengths, and fortifications. And, through heavy blows"he made it descend". As Isaiah declares: "and it will be sheer terror to understnad the message" (Is 28:19).
Second, this severity is displayed in the bewaring of future events. As said: "he spread a net for my feet". That is, as an impediment by which sin is prevented. As Hosea, the prophet, claims: "Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns" (Hos: 2:6).
Third is shown this severity by the taking away of the benefits within consolations. As said: "he turned me back; he has left me stunned, faint all the day long." Which states, as if: there is granted no consolation after blows, like a schoolmas...
