Psalms 38:6

Verse 6. Measurable. Hebrew “of a hand’s breadth.” Bible.—Sym. “a spithame, or twelve fingers’ breadth,” perhaps in allusion to the Greek proverb, a “spithame of life;” which denotes one very short. Drus.—The Greek copies vary: some read, ( Calmet.) with the Vat. παλαιας, “ancient;” and others of the palestra with the Alex. παλαιστας, or “contentious.” I am obliged always to wrestle with my adversaries. Grot.—My days are short, and spent in conflicts. Bible.—Saint John Chrysostom Saint Ambrose and so forth mention both. The former word is adopted by the Arab. Ethiop, and so forth; but the Hebrew has tephachoth, “of a palm,” or four fingers’ breadth; ( Calmet.) and Saint Jerome breves, “short.” Bible.—Substance. Saint Jerome “life.” Hebrew “age.”—Living. Hebrew “standing,” how well soever he may seem to be established. Prot. “at his best estate, is altogether vanity. Selah.” Bible.—The wisest of men confirms this at large, Sirach 1:1. Calmet. Jam. 4:14.—“What is this long while which has an end?” Cic. pro. Marcel. Menochius.