Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon [my] thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Ver. 19. Surely after that I was turned, I repented.] After that I had turned short again upon myself, as those penitents, 1Ki 8:47 as Manasseh, the publican, Luk 18:13 and that prodigal. Luk 15:17
And after that I was instructed.] Postquam ostensum fuerit mihi. a After that I knew myself, or rather was made known to myself - scil., by mine afflictions sanctified; for Schola crucis, schola lucis. The followers of the cross are the followers of light. Afflictions are those pillulae lucis, that serve notably to clear the soul's eye sight.
I smote upon my thigh,] b Sicut mulierculae in puerperio facere solent, saith Luther, as travailing women use to do. It is a token of greatest grief. See Ezekiel 21:12 .
I was ashamed, yea, even confounded.] Abashed and abased to the utmost; my sorrow was deep and downright.
Because I did bear the reproach of my youth,] i.e., The brunt and burden of my reproachful practices in my youth. See Job 13:26 Psalms 25:7 .
a Tremel., In Gloss. Marginal.
b Homer hath it oft πεπληγετο μηρω, he smote on his thigh. Cicero hath the like, lib. iii. Tuscul.