The interpretation timeline

Ps 58:17

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

From the early Church Fathers to now.

2 Patristic · 1 Jewish

Ps 58:17 · Douay-Rheims
“But I will sing thy strength: and will extol thy mercy in the morning. For thou art become my support, and my refuge, in the day of my trouble.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
430
A.D.
Augustine of Hippo Patristic
A.D. 354–430
“"My Helper, to Thee I will play, because Thou, O God, art my taker up" (ver. 17). What was I, unless Thou didst succour? How much despaired of was I, unless Thou didst heal? Where was I lying, unless Thou didst come to me? Certes with a huge wound I was endangered, but that wound of mine did call for an Almighty Physician. To an Almighty Physician nothing is incurable. ...Lastly, thinking of all good things whatsoever we may have, either in nature or in purpose, or in conversion itself, in faith, in hope, in charity, in good morals, in justice, in fear of God; all these to be only by His gifts, he hath thus concluded: "My God is my mercy:" He being filled with the good things of God hath not found what he might call his God, save "his mercy." O name, under which no one must despair! If thou say, my salvation, I perceive that He giveth salvation; if thou say, my refuge, I perceive that thou takest refuge in Him; if thou say, my strength, I perceive that He giveth to thee strength: "my mercy," is what? All that I am is of Thy mercy. ...”
Source
174 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
604
A.D.
Gregory the Great Patristic
c. A.D. 540–604
“What tongue, then, can sufficiently narrate the depths of divine mercy? What spirit does not stand amazed at the riches of such great kindness? The Psalmist considered these riches of divine kindness when he said: "My helper, to you I will sing praise, for you, O God, are my protector, my God, my mercy." Behold, perceiving in what labors human life is placed, he called God his helper; and because he receives us from present tribulation into eternal rest, he also calls him protector. But considering that he looks upon and bears our evils, tolerates our faults, and yet reserves us through penitence for rewards, he did not wish to call God merciful, but called him mercy itself, saying: "My God, my mercy." Let us therefore recall before our eyes the evils we have done, let us weigh with how great benignity of God we are tolerated, let us consider what are the depths of his kindness, so that he not only pardons faults but also promises the heavenly kingdom to the penitent even after their faults. And from all the depths of our heart let us say individually, let us all say: "My God, my mercy."”
Source
501 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1105
A.D.
Rashi Jewish
1040–1105
“And I when I escape them, I will sing of Your power in the morning.”
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.