시편 103:9의 인용 해설

severe punishment...prolonged affliction -- regarding bad deeds, he wrote "severe punishment". The intent is on the acts of punishment which a man is actively punished by, just like he sinned with actions, as written regarding sinners "for their worm shall never die, and their fire shall not extinguish" (Isaiah 66:22). While on refraining from doing good, he wrote "prolonged affliction". The word "affliction" connotes withholding something good and desirable such as the "afflictions of Yom Kippur", which are all withholding of desirable things (such as washing, eating, etc.) Likewise, in truth, on the wicked it is written there: "behold My servants will eat and you will go hungry.." (Isaiah 65:13), and "he will not see the good" (Jer. 29:32). Therefore he wrote regarding active punishments "severe" and regarding afflictions "prolonged". For since, the affliction is withholding of good, it is not proper to say "severe affliction". For it is not correct to say this withholding is greater than that one. It is only proper to use the term "prolonged", namely, that the affliction will be for a long time. Furthermore, regarding the active punishment, which is incurred for bad deeds, it is only for a limited time just like his bad deeds were limited in time. On this it is written: "He does not maintain a dispute continuously or remain angry for all time" (Ps. 103:9). But for the affliction, which is withholding [good], it could be, G-d forbid, forever. For just like he refrained from doing these good deeds, so too he will be completely withheld from the good, and will never ever merit it. Hence, the intent in the word "prolonged" is on eternity, as they expounded the verse (Kidushin 39b):"you shall prolong your days" (Deut.22:7) - to the world which is eternally prolonged. Hence, it is correct to use specifically the term "severe" for this, and "prolonged" for that. Understand this.