When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path. In the way in which I walked have they secretly laid a snare for me.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
3. "My tribulation I will proclaim in His sight." There is a repetition, both in the two preceding sentences, and in these which follow: the sentiments are two, but both twice expressed. ...For, "in His sight," is the same as "before Him;" "I will proclaim my tribulation," is the same as, "I will pour out my prayer." When doest thou this? Being set in the midst of persecution, he saith, "while my spirit failed from me" (ver. 3). Wherefore hath thy spirit failed, O martyr, set in tribulation? That I may not claim my strength as mine own, that I may know that Another worketh in me the goodness I have. And men perhaps have heard that my spirit hath failed within me, and have despaired of me, and have said, "we have taken him captive, we have overpowered him;" "and Thou hast known my paths." They thought me cast down, Thou didst see me standing upright. They who persecuted me and had seized me, thought my feet entangled, "but their feet were entangled, and they fell, but we are risen, and ...
Knewest. With approbation, (Psalm i. 6.; Haydock) my deportment towards Saul, and also the dangers to which I was exposed, and the means of escaping.
They. Ancient psalters add, "the proud "from Psalm cxxxvi. 6. (Calmet)
The devil and his agents attack the just at all times. (St. Jerome)
When I was reduced to such distress that I could not help myself, thou didst approve of my conduct, and deliver me. (Worthington)
