Psalms 39:12

hold not thy peace Restoration to health will be an answer. But the word may be rendered, as in R.V. of Psalms 28:1, be not deaf. So Jerome, ne obsurdescas.

It is a Rabbinic saying that there are three kinds of supplication, each superior to the other; prayer, crying, and tears. Prayer is made in silence, crying with a loud voice, but tears surpass all. "There is no door, through which tears do not pass," and, "The gates of tears are never locked." Cp. Hebrews 5:7.

a stranger with thee, and a sojourner Omit and. -Stranger" and -sojourner" were the technical terms for aliens residing in a country to which they did not belong, and where they had no natural rights of citizenship (Genesis 23:4). The words suggest the idea of a temporary residence, dependent on the good-will of the actual owners. The Israelites were taught to regard themselves as -strangers and sojourners" in the land of Canaan, which belonged to Jehovah (Leviticus 25:23): and here the idea is extended to man in general. The earth is God's, and man is His tenant upon it (Psalms 119:19). This being so, the Psalmist appeals for a hearing on the ground that he is but a temporary resident on the earth (Genesis 47:9), God's guest for a while only in the upper world, where alone His Presence can be enjoyed. And further, as the strangers and sojourners among them were specially commended to the care of Israel (Exodus 22:21; &c.), he would plead to be treated by God with a corresponding clemency.

The words are placed in David's mouth by the Chronicler (1 Chronicles 29:15), and applied by St Peter (1 Peter 2:11) to the Christian's position in the world, παρακαλῶ ὡς παροίκους καὶ παρεπιδήμους, the words used in the LXX here. Cp. Hebrews 11:13.

as all my fathers Cp. Elijah's words, 1 Kings 19:4.