Psalms 41:6-13

6 Those who come to see me are not sincere; they gather bad news about me and then go out and tell it everywhere.

7 All who hate me whisper to each other about me, they imagine the worst about me.

8 They say, "He is fatally ill; he will never leave his bed again."

9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted most, ¹ the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

10 Be merciful to me, Lord, and restore my health, and I will pay my enemies back.

11 They will not triumph over me, and I will know that you are pleased with me.

12 You will help me, because I do what is right; you will keep me in your presence forever.

13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel! ² Praise him now and forever! Amen! Amen!

Psalms 41:6-13 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

• 1. 41.9Matthew 26.23;Mark 14.18;Luke 22.21;John 13.18.
• 2. 41.13Psalms 106.48.

Footnotes

• [a]. imagine the worst about; [or] make evil plans to harm.