Psalms 41:8-13

8 They say, "A deadly thing is poured out[a] on him; he will not rise again from where he lies."
9 Even my 1close friend in whom I trusted, who 2ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
10 But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!
11 By this I know that 3you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.
12 But 4you have upheld me because of 5my integrity, and 6set me in your presence 7forever.
13 8Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.

Psalms 41:8-13 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. In this psalm is a prophecy concerning Christ, and concerning Judas Iscariot, as runs part of the title in the Syriac version; and in the Arabic version it is called a prophecy concerning the incarnation, and the salutation of Judas; and certain it is that Psalm 41:9 is to be understood of him, and of his betraying Christ into the hands of his enemies, since it is cited and applied to him by our Lord himself, John 13:18; so that having such a sure rule of interpretation, we may safely venture to explain the whole psalm of Christ, which treats both of his humiliation and exaltation; for it neither agrees with David wholly, nor with Hezekiah, to whom some ascribe it, as Theodoret remarks.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Ps. 55:12, 13, 20; Job 19:13, 14, 19; Jeremiah 9:4; Jeremiah 20:10; Micah 7:5; [2 Samuel 15:12]
  • 2. Cited John 13:18
  • 3. [2 Samuel 15:25, 26]
  • 4. Psalms 63:8
  • 5. Psalms 26:1
  • 6. Job 36:7
  • 7. Psalms 23:6
  • 8. Luke 1:68; [Psalms 72:18, 19; Psalms 89:52; Psalms 106:48; Psalms 150:6]

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.