Psalm 41:5-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 41:5-13

David often complains of the insolent conduct of his enemies towards him when he was sick, which, as it was very barbarous in them, so it could not but be very grievous to him. They had not indeed arrived at that modern pitch of wickedness of poisoning his meat and drink, or giving him something to make him sick; but, when he was sick, they insulted over him (Ps. 41:5): My enemies speak evil of me, designing thereby to grieve his spirit, to ruin his reputation, and so to sink his interest. Let... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:5

Mine enemies speak evil of me ,.... That is, the Jews, who were enemies to his person, people, doctrines and ordinances, and would not have him to reign over them; these spake evil of him, charged him with being a glutton and a winebibber; said he had a devil, and was a Samaritan; imputed his miracles to diabolical influence; branded his doctrine with blasphemy, and spoke against his religion and worship, and wished him ill, saying, when shall he die ; they had a good will to assassinate... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:6

And if he come to see me ,.... Meaning anyone of his enemies, when they came, as pretended, to pay him a friendly visit. A late learned writer F24 Delaney's Life of King David, vol. 2. p. 157, 158. interprets this of Absalom, who visited his father when he had the smallpox, which he thinks, after mentioned, of which his enemies expected he would die, when Absalom pretended great concern for his life; though he, with others, were plotting against him, should he live, to destroy him; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:7

All that hate me whisper together against me ,.... That is, they privately conspired against him; see Matthew 22:15 ; against me do they devise my hurt ; not only to take away his name and credit, but his life. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:8

An evil disease, say they , cleaveth fast unto him ,.... Not any bodily one, of which they might hope he would die; much less any foul disease, the disease of sin; but, as the phrase may be rendered, "a word of Belial" F25 דבר בליעל "verbum Belijahal", Montanus, Musculus, Cocceius, Gejerus. ; that is, a wicked charge or accusation; a charge of sin brought against him by the sons of Belial, as of blasphemy and sedition, which they concluded would be fastened upon him, and stick by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 41:9

Yea, mine own familiar friend ,.... Or, "the man of my peace" F26 איש שלומי "vir pacis meae", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. ; who did live peaceably with him, and ought always to have done so; whom he treated as his friend, as the rest of the apostles; calling him to that high office, and ordaining him to it, and qualifying him for it; and whom he called by the name of friend, when he came to betray him; Judas is meant; in whom I trusted ; with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:5

Mine enemies speak evil - It is often a good man's lot to be evil spoken of; to have his motives, and even his most benevolent acts, misconstrued. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:6

And if he come to see me - This may relate to Ahithophel; but it is more likely that it was to some other person who was his secret enemy, who pretended to come and inquire after his health, but with the secret design to see whether death was despatching his work. When he goeth abroad, he telleth it - He makes several observations on my dying state; intimates that I am suffering deep remorse for secret crimes; that God is showing his displeasure against me, and that I am full of sorrow... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:7

All that hate me whisper together against me - This is in consequence of the information given by the hypocritical friend, who came to him with the lying tongue, and whose heart gathereth iniquity to itself, which, when he went abroad, he told to others as illminded as himself, and they also drew their wicked inferences. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 41:8

An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him - בו יצוק בליעל דבר debar beliyaal yatsuk bo , a thing, word, or pestilence of Belial, is poured out upon him. His disease is of no common sort; it is a diabolical malady. He shall rise up no more - His disease is incurable without a miracle; and he is too much hated of God to have one wrought for him. Some apply this to the death and resurrection of Christ; he lieth - he is dead and buried; he shall never rise again from the dead. read more

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