Psalms 39:2

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

Ver. 2. I was dumb with silence] As not willing either to open the mouths of those dead dogs or to cast pearls before those sensual swine.

I held my peace, even from good] That good which I might have spoken in mine own defence and their reproof, ne miscerem illud cum malo, saith one, lest some evil should be mingled with it; as mud and gravel is with the clear water that runs down a current. Intellige de bono licito, non de bono necessario et praecepto.

And my sorrow was stirred] Heb. troubled; though I had somewhat to do to do it. Corruption must be curbed and kept in by violence, James 1:26 .

Hanc fraenis, hanc tu compesce catenis.