Thomas Aquinas, on Ps 37:13

“And they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long.”

“"But I, as one deaf." Here he shows the patience he exhibited. And first he sets forth the patience; second, the effect of patience, at "And I became like a man." When men are afflicted, unless they bear it patiently, they are first disturbed in soul, then disordered in words. But the remedy against being disturbed in soul is to be like a deaf person not hearing wicked words. And therefore he says, "But I, as one deaf, did not hear," that is, I pretended not to hear. Sir. 1: "The patient man will endure for a time." Likewise, Sir. 28: "Hedge your ears with thorns, and do not listen to a wicked tongue." And the remedy against being disordered in speech is to be like a mute. Ps. 38: "I was mute and was humbled," etc. Hence he says, "And like a mute not opening his mouth." And this Christ did especially, as is said in Mt. 27: "And he did not answer him a word, so that the governor marveled greatly." Is. 53: "Like a sheep he will be led to the slaughter," etc. So also just men should act. Ps. 38: "I set a guard upon my mouth, while the sinner stood against me."”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.