Psalms 41

Psalms 41:1

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

Title. A Psalm = Mizmor. See App-65.

of David = by David, and relating to the true David.

Blessed. See App-63.

the poor = weak, or feeble. Hebrew. dal. Not the same as Psalms 40:17.

will deliver = may the LORD deliver . . . preserve.

in time of trouble = in the evil day.

Psalms 41:2

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. Hosea 85:6).

will = soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

Psalms 41:3

the bed = the couch.

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.

Psalms 41:6

he come: i.e. the traitor; then Ahithophel, afterward Judas (see Psalms 41:9).

speaketh. Note the lying lips, the evil heart, the wicked slander.

Psalms 41:8

An evil disease = a thing of Belial. Compare Psalms 101:3. Deuteronomy 13:13; Deuteronomy 15:9. Judges 19:22. 1 Samuel 2:12. See 2 Samuel 16:7.

Psalms 41:9

mine own familiar friend: i.e. the one whom I was in the habit of saluting as my friend.

whom I trusted. These words not quoted by Christ (John 13:18), for He knew what was in man (John 2:24, John 2:25).

trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

which did eat, &c. Quoted in John 13:18.

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6. for all kinds’ of food.

Psalms 41:10

requite. Suited for that Dispensation. See App-63.

Psalms 41:11

favourest = delightest, or hast pleasure in. Compare Matthew 3:17; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 17:5. Isaiah 42:1.

triumph = shout with triumph.

Psalms 41:12

Thy face. See note on Exodus 34:20.

Psalms 41:13

Blessed, &c. Hebrew. barak, not ’ashrei, as in Psalms 41:1 and the Beatitudes (App-63). This Doxology concludes the first book of Psalms, also the second book (Psalms 72:18-20). They were the words of David when he brought up the Ark (1 Chronicles 16:36), also in 1 Kings 1:47, 1 Kings 1:48, when this group (37-41) was written; also in 1 Chronicles 29:10. They are taken up again in Luke 1:68-70.

to everlasting: i.e. to the age to come.

Amen = Truth. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for solemn emphasis.

To the chief Musician. See App-64.