Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. As a bird, and so forth The meaning is, that a curse uttered without cause shall do no harm to the person that is cursed, but will return upon him that curseth; as whithersoever a bird flies, it returns to its own nest. Challoner.—Come. Chal. “shall not come in vain,” if it be just, like that of Noe, Josue, and so forth Hebrew “shall not come” ( Calmet.) to the person against whom it is uttered, though God will not hold the curser guiltless, as the Vulg. intimates. Bible. Curses, anathemas, and so forth vented without reason, do not injure any but those who denounce them. Yet out of respect for ecclesiastical authority, those who are under censures, must abstain from their functions till they be absolved. Calmet.