King James Version
Psalms 41
13 verses with commentary
Blessed Is the One Who Considers the Poor
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. the poor: or, the weak, or, sick in time: Heb. in the day of evil
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.</strong> This opening beatitude establishes a moral principle foundational to biblical ethics: God's special concern for the poor and His blessing upon those who share this concern. The psalm is attributed to David, who as shepherd, fugitive, and king experienced both poverty and prosperity, understandin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Blessed is he.**—This general statement of the great law of sympathy and benevolence—fine and noble however we take it—may be explained in different ways, according as we take the Hebrew word *dal *as *poor, *with the LXX. and Vulg. (comp. Exodus 30:15), or with the margin, as *sick, weak in body *(comp. Genesis 41:19), or give it an ethical sense, *sick at heart. *(Comp. 2Samuel 13:4.) The ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. gates ... Zion--**The enclosure of the city (compare Psa 48:12; Is 23:12), or, church, as denoted by this phrase contrasted with that of death, carries out the idea of exaltation as well as deliverance. Signal favors should lead us to render signal and public thanks.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 41
Concerning Leviathan.
--The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviatha...
Read full commentary →The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. thou: or, do not thou deliver
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KJV Study Commentary
The LORD promises to 'preserve' and 'keep alive' the one who considers the poor. The Hebrew <em>shamar</em> (preserve) implies active guarding and protection. Being 'blessed upon the earth' connects earthly prosperity with compassionate action, while 'not delivered unto the will of his enemies' assures divine protection from those who would exploit vulnerability.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And he shall be blessed.**—Not as in margin Isaiah 9:16, and in Symmachus “called happy,” but with deeper meaning, as in Proverbs 3:18. Another derivation is possible, giving the meaning, “he shall be led aright,” *i.e., *shall have right moral guidance. The context, however, does not favour this.
**Upon the earth.**—Rather, *in the land, i.e., *of Canaan.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-16. The undesigned results of the devices of the wicked prove them to be of God's overruling or ordering, especially when those results are destructive to the wicked themselves.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 41
Concerning Leviathan.
--The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviatha...
Read full commentary →The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. make: Heb. turn
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KJV Study Commentary
The promise that God will 'strengthen him upon the bed of languishing' addresses the reality that even the compassionate suffer illness. The phrase 'make all his bed in his sickness' suggests God's intimate, tender care--like a nurse adjusting bedding for comfort. Divine care extends to the most vulnerable moments of physical weakness.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Will strengthen.**—Literally, w*ill prop him up, support him.*
**Wilt make.**—Literally, *hast turned. *Some think with literal allusion to the fact that the Oriental bed was merely a mat, which could be turned while the sick man was propped up. But such literalness is not necessary. To *turn *here is to *change, *as in Psalm 66:6; Psalm 105:29, and what the poet says is that, as in past tim...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
15-16. The undesigned results of the devices of the wicked prove them to be of God's overruling or ordering, especially when those results are destructive to the wicked themselves.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 41
Concerning Leviathan.
--The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviatha...
Read full commentary →I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.</strong> This verse marks a dramatic shift from describing the blessed life (v.1-3) to confessing personal sin and pleading for divine mercy. The psalmist moves from third-person observation about the righteous to first-person confession of his own need. This transition reveals humility—even while speaking of ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **I said.**—After the general statement, the poet applies it to his own case, which showed such sadly different conduct on the part of friends from whom more than sympathy might have been expected. The pronoun is emphatic: *In my case, I said, *etc.
But it is a singular mark of the psalmist’s sincerity and genuineness that he first looks into his own heart for its evil before exposing that of ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. shall be turned--**or, "shall turn," retreating under God's vengeance, and driven by Him to the extreme of destruction, even hell itself. Those who forget God are classed with the depraved and openly profane.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 41
Concerning Leviathan.
--The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviatha...
Read full commentary →Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
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KJV Study Commentary
David's enemies speak 'evil' against him, asking 'When shall he die, and his name perish?' This represents the deepest form of hostility--not merely wishing harm but desiring complete obliteration, including the memory of David's existence. The Hebrew <em>shem</em> (name) encompasses reputation, legacy, and continuing influence.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Shall he die . . . perish.**—Better, *When will he die, and his name have perished.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
18. (Compare Psa 13:1-6).
**the needy--**literally, "poor," as deprived of anything; hence miserable.
**expectation of the poor--**or, "meek," "humble," made so by affliction.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
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KJV Study Commentary
The hypocrisy of David's enemy is exposed: outwardly speaking 'vanity' (flattering words) while inwardly gathering 'iniquity' against him. The phrase 'when he goeth abroad, he telleth it' reveals the two-faced nature of the betrayer--friendly in person, slanderous behind David's back. This treachery wounds more deeply than open opposition.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And if he come.**—Some one particular individual is here singled out from the body of enemies.
**To see.**—The usual word for visiting a sick person. (Comp. 2Samuel 13:5; 2Kings 8:29.)
**Vanity**.—Better, *lies. *No more vivid picture of an insincere friend could be given. Pretended sympathy lies at the very bedside, while eye and ear are open to catch up anything that can be retailed abroad...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. Arise--**(compare Psa 4:7).
**let not man--**(Psa 8:4).
**let ... be judged--**and of course condemned.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. my: Heb. evil to me
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KJV Study Commentary
Those who hate David 'whisper together' against him, devising 'hurt.' The Hebrew <em>lachash</em> (whisper) suggests conspiracy conducted in secret. The plotting involves more than spontaneous hatred; it is calculated, coordinated opposition. The phrase 'devise my hurt' indicates intentional, premeditated harm.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
20. By their effectual subjection, make them to realize their frail nature (Psa 8:4), and deter them from all conceit and future rebellion.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. An: Heb. A thing of Belial
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KJV Study Commentary
The enemies' whispered verdict is that 'an evil disease' (literally 'a thing of Belial') cleaves to David. They interpret his suffering as evidence of divine judgment, concluding 'now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.' This theological misinterpretation of suffering recurs in Job's friends and those who mocked Jesus on the cross.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **An evil disease.**—Margin, *thing of Belial. *(For “Belial,” see Deuteronomy 13:13.) The expression may mean, as in LXX. and Vulg., “a lawless speech,” so the Chaldee, “a perverse word.” Syriac, “a word of iniquity,” or “a physical evil,” as in Authorised Version, or “a moral evil.” The verse is difficult, not only from this ambiguity, but also from that of the verb, which, according to the ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. mine: Heb. the man of my peace lifted: Heb. magnified
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.</strong> This verse describes one of life's deepest pains: betrayal by a trusted intimate. The language shifts from general enemies (v.5-8) to personal betrayal by someone close. Tradition identifies this with Ahithophel's betrayal during Absalom's rebellion, though it may descr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Hath lifted up his heel.**—See margin. The meaning is, possibly, *kicked violently at me. *But Böttcher’s conjecture is valuable, “has magnified his fraud against me,” which is supported by the LXX. and Vulg., “has magnified his supplanting of me.” (For the quotation of this verse in John 13:18, see *New Testament Commentary.*) The rights of Oriental hospitality must be remembered, to bring ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 10 Psa 10:1-18. The Psalmist mourns God's apparent indifference to his troubles, which are aggravated by the successful malice, blasphemy, pride, deceit, and profanity of the wicked. On the just and discriminating providence of God he relies for the destruction of their false security, and the defense of the needy.
1. These are, of course, figurative terms (compare Psa 7:6; 13:1, &c.).
...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's petition 'raise me up, that I may requite them' has troubled many readers. The Hebrew <em>shalam</em> (requite, repay) can mean peaceful completion or just recompense. David likely seeks vindication through God's justice rather than personal revenge, asking God to demonstrate his innocence by delivering him before his enemies.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2. Literally, "In pride of the wicked they (the poor or humble, Psa 10:17; 12:5) shall be taken in the devices they (the proud) have imagined."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
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KJV Study Commentary
David interprets God's healing as evidence of divine favor: 'by this I know that thou favourest me.' The Hebrew <em>chaphetz</em> (favour, delight in) indicates God's positive disposition toward David. The enemies' inability to triumph over him demonstrates not merely luck but divine intervention on behalf of God's anointed servant.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **By this I know.**—Better, *shall know. *His restoration would be a sign of the Divine favour, and a pledge of his victory over his enemies.
**Triumph.**—Literally, *shout; *“sing a paean.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. heart's--**or, "soul's."
**desire--**that is, his success in evil.
**and blesseth, &c.--**he (the wicked) blesseth the covetous, he despiseth the Lord.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
God upholds David 'in mine integrity' and sets him 'before thy face for ever.' The Hebrew <em>tom</em> (integrity) suggests completeness, wholeness, innocence--not sinless perfection but genuine, undivided loyalty to God. Being set 'before God's face' implies ongoing access to divine presence, the greatest blessing imaginable.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Thou upholdest.**—Here we seem to have the acknowledgment that the prayer just uttered is answered.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. The face expresses the self-conceit, whose fruit is practical atheism (Psa 14:1).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.</strong> This doxology concludes both Psalm 41 and Book I of the Psalter (Psalms 1-41). The verse is not part of David's original composition but an editorial addition marking the first major division of the Psalter. Each of the five books (I-XLI, XLII-LXXII, LXXIII-LXXXIX, XC-CVI, CVII-CL) ends with similar...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Blessed.**—This doxology is no part of the psalm, but a formal close to the first book of the collection. (See *General Introduction.*)
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5-6. Such is his confidence in the permanence of his way or course of life, that he disregards God's providential government (out of sight, because he will not look, Is 26:11), sneers at his enemies, and boasts perpetual freedom from evil.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-13**
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words ...
Read full commentary →