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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 41:4

Psalms 41:4 . I said, Lord, be merciful unto me He appeals to mercy, as one that knew he could not stand the test of strict justice. The best saints, even those that have been merciful to the poor, have not made God their debtor; but must throw themselves on his mercy. When we are under the rod, we must thus recommend ourselves to the tender mercy of our God. Heal my soul Sin is the sickness of the soul and the soul is healed when, being pardoned by mercy, it is also renewed by grace. And... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:1-13

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 41:4

be merciful = be gracious, or show favour. my soul = me. I have sinned. Christ could say this of those whose sins He was bearing, which were laid upon Him. sinned. Hebrew. chata. App-44 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 41:4

"I said, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me:Heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.Mine enemies speak evil against me, saying,When will he die, and his name perish?And if he come to see me, he speaketh falsehood;His heart gathereth iniquity to itself:When he goeth abroad he telleth it.""O Jehovah, have mercy upon me" (Psalms 41:4). Kidner remarked that, "David got more mercy from God whom he had wronged than from the 'familiar friend' whom he had helped."[7]"Heal my soul" (Psalms 41:4).... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 41:4

Psalms 41:4. Heal my soul— As rational conjectures, says Dr. Delaney, are oftentimes useful inlets to knowledge, the candid reader will, I hope, be indulgent to mine, in relation to David's distemper, (see the note on the title of the 38th psalm,) which I am far from obtruding as a truth; for, after all, possibly, all his psalms upon this head may be no more than figurative descriptions of the state of his mind, sick with sin; nor is this supposition ill-grounded upon the present verse: And,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 41:4

4. I said—I asked the mercy I show. heal my soul—(Compare Psalms 30:2). "Sin and suffering are united," is one of the great teachings of the Psalms. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 41:1-13

Psalms 41David assured the godly in this thanksgiving psalm that those who help the needy would experience deliverance themselves from the Lord. He had learned this lesson through a difficult experience, to which he referred. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 41:4

David had been in need of help at some time in the past. Apparently he had sinned and God had punished him with sickness. He then cried out to God for help. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 41:4-9

2. God’s punishment of the treacherous 41:4-9David continued to address the congregation of Israel, and he presented the alternative to caring for the helpless with its consequences. He did this by relating a personal experience. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:1-13

The Psalmist has been brought low by sickness, and pronounces a blessing on those who consider such sufferers as himself (Psalms 41:1-3). His own experience has been of an opposite kind. His enemies have triumphantly anticipated his end, and their hypocritical sympathy has only been the guise of malice (Psalms 41:5-8). One friend in particular has done his utmost to injure him (Psalms 41:9). He asks God to restore his health that he may requite all this unkindness, and finally expresses his... read more

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