“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.”
The psalmist warns against being like the horse or mule, without understanding, whose mouths must be controlled with bit and bridle. The comparison establishes that the ununderstanding creature requires external constraint because it cannot comprehend the reason for obedience. The verb "do not be like them" suggests the psalmist's exhortation to avoid becoming like unthinking animals. The image of bit and bridle suggests rough enforcement of obedience through coercion. This verse implies that moral development involves moving beyond external constraint.
Church Fathers on Psalms 32:9
To David himself; for understanding. 1. To David himself; for understanding; by which it is understood that not by the merits of works, but by the grace of God, man is delivered, confessing his sins. 2. “Blessed are they whose unrighteousness is forgiven, and whose sins are covered” Psalm 31:1: and whose sins are buried in oblivion. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, nor is there guile in his mouth” Psalm 31:2: nor has he in his mouth boastings of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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