1 [[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm H4210 of David.]] H1732 Blessed H835 is he that considereth H7919 the poor: H1800 the LORD H3068 will deliver H4422 him in time H3117 of trouble. H7451
2 The LORD H3068 will preserve H8104 him, and keep him alive; H2421 and he shall be blessed H833 upon the earth: H776 and thou wilt not deliver H5414 him unto the will H5315 of his enemies. H341
3 The LORD H3068 will strengthen H5582 him upon the bed H6210 of languishing: H1741 thou wilt make H2015 all his bed H4904 in his sickness. H2483
4 I said, H559 LORD, H3068 be merciful H2603 unto me: heal H7495 my soul; H5315 for I have sinned H2398 against thee.
5 Mine enemies H341 speak H559 evil H7451 of me, When shall he die, H4191 and his name H8034 perish? H6
6 And if he come H935 to see H7200 me, he speaketh H1696 vanity: H7723 his heart H3820 gathereth H6908 iniquity H205 to itself; when he goeth H3318 abroad, H2351 he telleth H1696 it.
7 All that hate H8130 me whisper H3907 together H3162 against me: against me do they devise H2803 my hurt. H7451
8 An evil H1100 disease, H1697 say they, cleaveth fast H3332 unto him: and now that he lieth H7901 he shall rise up H6965 no more. H3254
9 Yea, mine own familiar H7965 friend, H376 in whom I trusted, H982 which did eat H398 of my bread, H3899 hath lifted up H1431 his heel H6119 against me.
10 But thou, O LORD, H3068 be merciful H2603 unto me, and raise me up, H6965 that I may requite H7999 them.
11 By this I know H3045 that thou favourest H2654 me, because mine enemy H341 doth not triumph H7321 over me.
12 And as for me, thou upholdest H8551 me in mine integrity, H8537 and settest H5324 me before thy face H6440 for ever. H5769
13 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 from everlasting, H5769 and to everlasting. H5769 Amen, H543 and Amen. H543
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 41
Commentary on Psalms 41 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 41
Ps 41:1-13. The Psalmist celebrates the blessedness of those who compassionate the poor, conduct strongly contrasted with the spite of his enemies and neglect of his friends in his calamity. He prays for God's mercy in view of his ill desert, and, in confidence of relief, and that God will vindicate his cause, he closes with a doxology.
1-3. God rewards kindness to the poor (Pr 19:17). From Ps 41:2, 11 it may be inferred that the Psalmist describes his own conduct.
poor—in person, position, and possessions.
2. shall be blessed—literally, "led aright," or "safely," prospered (Ps 23:3).
upon the earth—or land of promise (Ps 25:13; 27:3-9, &c.).
3. The figures of Ps 41:3 are drawn from the acts of a kind nurse.
4. I said—I asked the mercy I show.
heal my soul—(Compare Ps 30:2). "Sin and suffering are united," is one of the great teachings of the Psalms.
5, 6. A graphic picture of the conduct of a malignant enemy.
6. to see me—as if to spy out my case.
he speaketh … itself—or, "he speaketh vanity as to his heart"—that is, does not speak candidly, "he gathereth iniquity to him," collects elements for mischief, and then divulges the gains of his hypocrisy.
7, 8. So of others, all act alike.
8. An evil disease—literally, "a word of Belial," some slander.
cleaveth—literally, "poured on him."
that he lieth—who has now laid down, "he is utterly undone and our victory is sure."
9. mine … friend—literally, "the man of my peace."
eat … bread—who depended on me or was well treated by me.
hath lifted up heel—in scornful violence. As David and his fortunes typified Christ and His (compare Introduction), so these words expressed the treatment he received, and also that of his Son and Lord; hence, though not distinctly prophetical, our Saviour (Joh 13:18) applies them to Judas, "that the Scripture may be fulfilled." This last phrase has a wide use in the New Testament, and is not restricted to denote special prophecies.
10. A lawful punishment of criminals is not revenge, nor inconsistent with their final good (compare Ps 40:14, 15).
11-13. favourest—or tenderly lovest me (Ge 34:19), evinced by relief from his enemies, and, farther, God recognizes his innocence by upholding him.
12. settest … before thy face—under thy watch and care, as God before man's face (Ps 16:8) is an object of trust and love.
13. Blessed—praised, usually applied to God. The word usually applied to men denotes happiness (Ps 1:1; 32:1). With this doxology the first book closes.