Psalms 41:8

8 They say, "A deadly thing has fastened upon him; he will not rise again from where he lies."

Psalms 41:8 Meaning and 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; 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 him, and in which they should succeed to their wishes; or else the shameful punishment the death of the cross, inflicted on him, which they fancied would fix an indelible mark of infamy and scandal on him, since cursed is he that hangeth on a tree;

and [now] that he lieth, let him rise up no more;
has much as he was dead, of which they had full proof, and was laid in the grave, his tomb watched, and the stone rolled to it sealed; they thought all was safe, and it was all over with him, that he would never rise again, as he had given out, and his disciples incapable of committing a fraud they afterwards accused them with: this, according to the above learned writer, see ( Psalms 41:6 ) , was said by Absalom, as he thinks Ahithophel is the person designed in ( Psalms 41:9 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F25 (leylb rbd) "verbum Belijahal", Montanus, Musculus, Cocceius, Gejerus.

Psalms 41:8 In-Context

6 And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers mischief; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me.

8 They say, "A deadly thing has fastened upon him; he will not rise again from where he lies."

9 Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

10 But do thou, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may requite them!