Psalms 34:12

12 retribuebant mihi mala pro bonis sterilitatem animae meae

Psalms 34:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:12

What man [is he that] desireth life?
&c.] Every man desires life, even a natural life; it is more desirable than all things in it; especially an healthful life, without which the blessings and mercies of life cannot be comfortably enjoyed; and still more a life of prosperity; life, with an affluence of good things, and even a long one: though it may be rather that a spiritual life is here meant, and a comfortable one; a life free from the remorses of a guilty conscience, from the fear of hell, damnation, and wrath; from the bondage of the law, and the dread of death; a life of faith on Christ, and communion with him; and a life of sobriety, righteousness, and holiness; and perhaps it may be best of all to understand it of eternal life, which is life eminently and emphatically; it follows,

[and] loveth [many] days;
that is, good ones; as they are interpreted in ( 1 Peter 3:10 ) ; not of this life, for the days of it are evil, and especially when they are lengthened out; the days of old age, ( Ecclesiastes 12:1 ) ; unless the days of the son of man, the days of enjoying the presence of God in his house and ordinances, should be intended; though rather the good and many days of eternity, even length of days, for ever and ever, in which will be fulness of joy, and never ceasing and never fading pleasures;

that he may see good;
there is good to be seen and enjoyed in this life, which if the saints did not believe they should see and enjoy, they would often faint; and this good lies in the participation of the blessings of grace, and in fellowship with Father, Son, and Spirit: but the great and lasting good to be seen and enjoyed is in the world to come, when God shall be all in all, be seen as he is, and the saints shall inherit all things.

Psalms 34:12 In-Context

10 omnia ossa mea dicent Domine quis similis tui eripiens inopem de manu fortiorum eius egenum et pauperem a diripientibus eum
11 surgentes testes iniqui quae ignorabam interrogabant me
12 retribuebant mihi mala pro bonis sterilitatem animae meae
13 ego autem cum mihi molesti essent induebar cilicio humiliabam in ieiunio animam meam et oratio mea in sinum meum convertetur
14 quasi proximum quasi fratrem nostrum sic conplacebam quasi lugens et contristatus sic humiliabar
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.