The interpretation timeline

Ps 37:13

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

2 Patristic · 1 Jewish · 2 Catholic · 1 Reformed

Ps 37:13 · Douay-Rheims
“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.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
397
A.D.
Ambrose of Milan Patristic
A.D. 339–397
“The just person will want to conform his life to the image and likeness of Jesus, and though accused, he will be silent; if he is hurt, he will forgive. Wrongs done to him he will cover up, not opening his mouth. In this way he will be imitating him who like a lamb was led to the slaughter, never opening his mouth. Though he could have made an answer, he preferred silence to speech. For the Lord Jesus was silent when they accused him, and when they struck him he did not strike back.… You too, my friend, if you are given cause to answer back with a sharp rebuke, be silent. It will be better so. If you answer back in the same tone as your aggressor, it could lead to uproar and loud wrangling. Better to hide the injury done to you than, by arguing back, to gain some point or other. Good is the dumb person who knows not how to speak evil and from whose lips no injurious words can pass. Truly blessed is this dumb person, for inwardly he is saying, "Lord, give me a learned tongue when it is my duty to break into speech."”
Source
430
A.D.
Augustine of Hippo Patristic
A.D. 354–430
“He says then, "But I as a deaf man heard not" [Psalm 38:13]. He who replied not to what He heard, did, as it were, not hear them. "But I as a deaf man heard not. And I was as a dumb man that opens not his mouth." And he repeats the same things again.”
675 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1105
A.D.
Rashi Jewish
1040–1105
“And those who seek my life lay traps They seek traps for me.”
169 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
1274
A.D.
Thomas Aquinas Catholic
1225–1274
“"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."”
Source
575 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900
1849
A.D.
1774–1849
“Violence. Hebrew, “laid snares.” This treatment might be expected from enemies, since friends proved so treacherous. (Haydock) — They would willingly have slain David. The will is often put for the deed. (Calmet) — Things. Endeavouring to engage me again in sin, being displeased because I have quitted their evil company; (Worthington) or they raise their fortune, by causing dissensions in the state. This might be well applied to the Pharisees, who persecuted Christ.”
Source
1871
A.D.
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.