Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 6. The iniquity of my heel. That is, the iniquity of my steps, or ways: or the iniquity of my pride, with which, as with the heel, I have spurned and kicked at my neighbours: or the iniquity of my heel, that is, the iniquity in which I shall be found in death. The meaning of this verse is, why should I now indulge those passions and sinful affections, or commit now those sins, which will cause me so much fear and anguish in the evil day; when the sorrows of death shall compass me, and the perils of hell shall find me? Challoner.—The old serpent is constantly laying snares for our heel. Genesis 3:15. Bible.—Original (Saint Jerome) and actual sin, (Euseb.) particularly final impenitence, (Rabbins) and the punishment of our transgressions, (Abenezra) are much to be feared, ( Bible.) as well as concupiscence. Saint Ambrose—All that will fill us with alarm in the day of vengeance, will be the having been supplanted, like wrestlers, by our iniquity, ( Calmet.) of which we have not repented. Bible.—Any such injustice must be dreaded, as it will bring on damnation. Worthington.—Instead of heel, Sym. has “steps,” including all the unjust actions of life. Bible.