I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
Read Chapter 3
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
5. "I slept, and took rest" (ver. 5). It may be not unsuitably remarked, that it is expressly said, "I," to signify that of His own Will He underwent death, according to that, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me; I have power to lay itdown, and I have power to take it again." Therefore, saith He, you have not taken Me as though against My will, and slain Me; but "I slept, and took rest; and rose, for the Lord will take me up." Scripture contains numberless instances of sleep being put for death; as the Apostle says, "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep." Nor need we make any question why it is added, "took rest," seeing that it has already been said, "I slept." Repetitions of this kind are usual in Scripture, as we have pointed out many in the second Psalm. But some copies have, "I slept, and was cast into a deep sleep." And different copies express it differently...
Rest, in sin; (St. Athanasius) or, I have not lost my confidence in God, though dangers threaten on every side. (Calmet)
Jesus remained undaunted, when his enemies surrounded him; he continued (Theodoret) free among the dead, and rose again by his own power. (Haydock)
If he prayed that the chalice might be removed, it was to teach us how to behave. (Calmet)
He was buried, and rose again, and his disciples believed the Scriptures (John ii. 22.) recorded here, and in other places. (Worthington)
The same word refers to past and future things. (St. Gregory, Mor. xx. 1.) (Worthington)
