The interpretation timeline

Ps 39:16

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

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Patristic · 1 Jewish · 1 Catholic

Ps 39:16 · Douay-Rheims
“Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: Tis well, tis well.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
430
A.D.
Augustine of Hippo Patristic
A.D. 354–430
“"Let all those that seek Thee, O Lord, rejoice and be glad" (ver. 16). Those who "seek" not me, but "Thee;" who say not to me, "Well done! Well done!" but see me "glory in Thee," if I have anything whereof to glory; for "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord." "Let all those who seek Thee, Lord, rejoice and be glad." "And say continually, the Lord be magnified." For even if the sinner becometh righteous, thou shouldest give the glory to "Him who justifieth the ungodly." Whether therefore it be a sinner, let Him be praised who calls him to forgiveness; or one already walking in the way of righteousness, let Him be praised who calls him to receive the crown! Let the Name of the Lord be magnified continually by "such as love Thy salvation."”
Source
675 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1105
A.D.
Rashi Jewish
1040–1105
“may they be bewildered [as translated,] may they be bewildered. afterwards because of their shame Heb. על-עקב. When they receive their shame in the wake of everything [they have done], in the measure that they measured out and in the way they walked against Me. עקב is like (below 77: 20): “and your steps (ועקבותיך) were not known”; (Song 1:8), “go your way in the footsteps of (בעקבי) the flocks.” They are all an expression of footsteps, in French traces, footprints on the heel. those who say about me, “Aha! Aha!” Those who say about me and for me, “Aha!” When trouble comes, they pray for our misfortune.”
Source
169 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
1274
A.D.
Thomas Aquinas Catholic
1225–1274
“For the good he asks that they rejoice at his help and liberation, and praise God. And as to the first he says, "Let all who seek you exult and rejoice." As to the second, "And let those who love your salvation say always, The Lord be magnified." Here he presents four things that befit the good. First, that they love the salvation of God, which is Christ. Lk. 2: "My eyes have seen your salvation." Second, that they seek the acts of love. Song 3: "In my bed I sought," etc. Is. 55: "Seek the Lord while he may be found." Third, that they rejoice over the beloved found; hence, "Let them exult." Hab. 3: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord," etc. Exultation pertains to the exterior signs of joy. As to the interior, joy is, as it were, gladness and expansion of the heart. Fourth, thanksgiving and praise; hence he says, "And let them say always, The Lord be magnified," etc. Is. 12: "Exult and praise, O dwelling of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."”
Source
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.