Jeremiah 31:19

Verse Jeremiah 31:19. After that I was turned] Converted from my sin, folly, and idolatry.

I repented] To conviction of sin, I now added contrition for sin. Conviction, in this sense of the word, must precede contrition or repentance. As soon as a man sees himself lost and undone, he is convicted of sin; when convicted, he begins to mourn. Thus contrition follows conviction.

I smote upon my thigh] My sorrow grew deeper and deeper; I smote upon my thigh through the extremity of my distress. This was a usual sign of deep affliction. See Ezekiel 21:12. It was the same among the ancient Greeks. So Homer: -

Ως εφατ' αυταρ Αρης θαλερω πεπληγετο μηρω

Χερσι καταπρηνεσσ,ολοφυρομενος δε προσηυδα.

IL. lib. xv. 113.

"She spake: and with expanded arms, his thighs

Smiting, thus sorrowful, the god exclaimed."

COWPER.

---- αυταρ Αχιλλευς

Μηρω πληξαμενος Πατροκληα προσεειπεν.

IL. lib. xvi. 124.

"Achilles saw it, smote his thigh, and said -----."

COWPER.

I have often seen persons in deep grief act thus.