Gregory the Dialogist

If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them even as the shadow of death. He is light above the face of the water. Let their portion be cursed in the earth; and let him not walk by the way of the vineyards. For the wicked look for the afflicting of the righteous, and long to see them in distress, and 'in the dark they dig through houses,' when the heart of the innocent but weak ones they corrupt in the season of their casting down by the worst mode of discourse. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XVI ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"If suddenly," as though unprepared, because the time seems short to them when they are occupied in carnal pleasure, "the dawn should appear," which is the beginning of daylight, "they think of it as the shadow of death," that is, they think it is as hateful as the shadow of death when they see that they cannot continue their wanton activities anymore. For men are usually impeded in their acts in two ways. In one way when they do not foresee the outcome of a situation. In another way when they have a weak link in their resolve. …

Commentary on Job ↗