* bindeth a stone in a sling. Heb. putteth a precious stone in
a heap of stones.
This probably refers, as Coverdale understands it, to the
custom of throwing a stone to the heap under which a criminal
was buried. So the Vulgate, {Sicut qui mittit lapidem in
acervum Mercurii; ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem,} "As he
who throws a stone to Mercury's heap, so is he who gives
honour to a fool." Mercury was a heathen god of highways; and
stones were erected in different parts to guide the traveller:
hence those lines of Dr. Young,
"Death stands like Mercuries in every way;
And kindly points us to our journey's end."
* so.
1 19:10 30:22
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