Proverbs 25:20 [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
Ver. 20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather.] Music in mourning is held most unseasonable; that was a heathenish custom that the Jews had taken up Mat 9:23 Cantabat moestis tibia faneribus, saith Ovid, a We should rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep. Nabla et lyra lugentibus ingrata, saith Plutarch. Music and mourning agree like harp and harrow; like thin clothing and cold weather; or like nitre and vinegar, saith Solomon. There are those who read the words otherwise, and accordingly sense them thus, As he that putteth on a garment in the cold season, or vinegar on nitre; so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart - that is, Tristitiam dissolvit cantus, ut vestes discutiunt frigus, et acetum dissolvit nitrum. b As a garment warmeth the body, and vinegar dissolveth nitre, so a sweet singer, by his delightsome ditty, cheereth up the pensive soul and driveth sorrow out of it. See 1Sa 16:23 2Ki 3:15 Daniel 6:18 .
a Fast., lib. iv.
b Junius.