The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing . If he falls into a sickness, God will support him through it. Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness ; literally, thou wilt turn all his bed ; i.e. rearrange it, turn its cushions, make it such that he can comfortably lie on it (see Kay, who quotes Bellarmine). Others understand, "Thou wilt change his couch from one of sickness to one of convalescence." read more
The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive - This is a farther statement of the same principle, and it refers to a general, not a universal rule in the divine administration, that acts of piety will be partially rewarded on the earth; or that the divine favor will be shown to those who deal kindly with others. This principle is often referred to in the Scriptures. See Psalms 1:3, note; Psalms 37:3-4, note; Psalms 37:11, note; Psalms 37:23-26, note; Psalms 37:37, note; compare Mat 5:5; 1... read more
The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing - The word rendered strengthen here means to support; to uphold; to sustain. The idea here is, that God would enable him to bear his sickness, or would impart strength - inward strength - when his body failed, or when but for this aid he must sink under his disease and die. The word rendered languishing means properly languor or sickness; and more generally something sickening; that is, something unclean, unwholesome, nauseating, Job 6:6.... read more
Psalms 41:2-3. The Lord will keep him alive Hebrew, Will quicken him, that is, revive and restore him. God will either preserve him from trouble, or, if he see that trouble is necessary, or will be useful for him, and therefore suffers him to fall into it, he will raise him out of it. Thou wilt not deliver him, &c. To the destruction which his enemies earnestly desire and endeavour to effect. Wilt make all his bed in his sickness Wilt give him ease and comfort, which sick men... read more
Psalms 41:0 A friend’s treacheryAt the time of the writing of this psalm, David was ill and unable to help himself. One of his closest friends took the opportunity to act treacherously against him. The psalm would suit such circumstances as when his trusted adviser Ahithophel plotted his overthrow by organizing the rebellion of Absalom (see v. 9; cf. 2 Samuel 15:12,2 Samuel 15:31).Those who help the needy will themselves receive help from God when they are in trouble (1-3). David knows that... read more
keep him alive = revive, so as to live again; hence, to give life to: here, in resurrection. Hebrew. Piel conjugation, to give life, quicken. Compare Psalms 119:25 , Psalms 119:37 , &c. Deuteronomy 32:39 . Job 33:4 . Hence, to preserve seed (Genesis 19:32 , Genesis 19:34 ); to repair, in the sense of restoring what was lost (1 Chronicles 11:8 , Nehemiah 4:2 .Hosea 6:2 ; Hosea 14:7 . Hos 85:6 ). will = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. read more
Psalms 41:3. Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness— Thou turnest all his bed in his sickness. This expresses the ease and refreshment which God had just before given him in his sickness; as great as a person feels from his bed being made up smooth around him. Mudge. read more
2. shall be blessed—literally, "led aright," or "safely," prospered ( :-). upon the earth—or land of promise (Psalms 25:13; Psalms 27:3-9, &c.). 3. The figures of Psalms 25:13- : are drawn from the acts of a kind nurse. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 41:2
The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive . Continuance in life is always regarded as a blessing in the Old Testament; it is only in the New that to "depart, and be with Christ," is pronounced "far better" ( Philippians 1:23 ). And he shall be blessed upon the earth ; i.e. his long life shall be a happy one. And thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies ; rather, as in the margin, do not thou deliver him (comp. Psalms 27:12 ; Psalms 74:19 ). The psalmist... read more