I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
I stayed completely silent and didn't say anything at all, not even good things; and this made my sadness even worse.
The writer is describing how keeping silent about his troubles - even avoiding saying positive things - only made his inner pain grow stronger.
📚 Historical Context
This psalm is attributed to David and reflects a common biblical theme of struggling with when to speak and when to remain silent before God and others. In ancient Hebrew culture, there was great wisdom associated with knowing when to hold one's tongue, but this verse shows the emotional cost of prolonged silence. The psalm appears to be written during a time of personal crisis when David felt overwhelmed by his circumstances.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.