Psalm 41:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 41:1-4

In these verses we have, I. God's promises of succour and comfort to those that consider the poor; and, 1. We may suppose that David makes mention of these with application either, (1.) To his friends, who were kind to him, and very considerate of his case, now that he was in affliction: Blessed is he that considers poor David. Here and there he met with one that sympathized with him, and was concerned for him, and kept up his good opinion of him and respect for him, notwithstanding his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:2

The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive ,.... Amidst a thousand deaths, to which he is exposed for making a profession of his faith in Christ; see 2 Corinthians 1:10 ; or this may refer to his spiritual life, which is hid and preserved in Christ, in whom he believes; and is safe and secure; because Christ lives he shall live also, and shall never die the second death, nor be hurt by it, but shall have everlasting life; and he shall be blessed upon the earth ; with temporal... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:3

The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing ,.... When on a sick bed, or a death bed, where he lies languishing, and ready to expire; when his natural strength, spirits, and heart fail him, then the Lord strengthens him with strength in his soul; and is the strength of his heart, and his portion for ever. The Targum is, "the Word of the Lord shall help him in his life, and shall appear to him on the bed of his illness, to quicken him;' thou wilt make all his bed in his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:4

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me ,.... See Gill on Psalm 40:11 ; heal my soul ; not that it was diseased with sin in such sense as the souls of other men are; but it is to be understood as a petition for comfort while bearing the sins of others, and which Christ as man stood in need of when in the garden and on the cross; so healing signifies comfort in trouble, as in Isaiah 57:18 ; for I have sinned against thee ; or "unto thee", or "before thee", as the Targum; not that any... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:2

The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive - It is worthy of remark, that benevolent persons, who consider the poor, and especially the sick poor; who search cellars, garrets, back lanes, and such abodes of misery, to find them out, (even in the places where contagion keeps its seat), very seldom fall a prey to their own benevolence. The Lord, in an especial manner, keeps them alive, and preserves them; while many, who endeavor to keep far from the contagion, are assailed by it, and fall... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:3

The Lord will strengthen him - Good, benevolent, and merciful as he is, he must also die: but he shall not die as other men; he shall have peculiar consolations, refreshment, and support, while passing through the valley of the shadow of death. Thou wilt make all his bed - הפכת haphachta , thou hast turned up, tossed, and shaken it; and thou wilt do so to all his bed - thou wilt not leave one uneasy place in it - not one lump, or any unevenness, to prevent him from sleeping. Thou... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:4

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me - I need thy mercy especially, because I have sinned against thee, and my sin is a deadly wound to my soul; therefore heal my soul, for it has sinned against thee. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:2

Verse 2 2.Jehovah will keep him, and preserve him in life. Here David follows out the same sentiment expressed in the preceding verse, when he says that the Lord will keep the afflicted, whose destruction cruel and unjust men represent as inevitable. It is likewise necessary always to bear in mind the contrast which is stated between the day of evil and the blessing of deliverance. In this verse the expressions denoting restoration to life, and blessedness on the earth, are of similar import.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:4

Verse 4 4.I have said, O Jehovah! have mercy upon me. By this verse he shows that in his adversity he did not seek to soothe his mind by flattery, as the greater part of men do, who endeavor to assuage their sorrows by some vain consolation. And, certainly, the man who is guided by the Spirit of God will, when warned of God by the afflictions with which he is visited, frankly acknowledge his sins, and quietly submit to the admonitions of his brethren, nay, he will even anticipate them by a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 41:1-3

The poor man's charter; or, a blessing pronounced on the benevolent. Though there is no sufficient reason to question the accuracy of the title of this psalm, yet the blessing here pronounced on benevolent souls is entirely independent of its human penman. The two key-words in the first verse—"considereth" and "the poor"—are words of very wide significance. The first would mean "he who takes a kindly, continuous, intelligent interest in, and who cherishes a tender sympathy for, them; and... read more

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