* 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