Psalm 41:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die, and his name perish?"

NIV: My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?"

NASB: My enemies speak evil against me, 'When will he die, and his name perish?'

CSB: My enemies speak maliciously about me: "When will he die and be forgotten?"

NLT: But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. 'How soon will he die and be forgotten?' they ask.

KJV: Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

NKJV: My enemies speak evil of me: “When will he die, and his name perish?”

As a warrior and king, David had many enemies. His sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:7–9) provided enemies with opportunity for criticism and attack. It also led to a fractured family life (2 Samuel 12:10–11). That dynamic eventually pushed David's son, Absalom, to rebel against his father. This was aided by one of David's most trusted advisors, Ahithophel. While this psalm does not explicitly name the situation, context makes Absalom's rebellion the most likely inspiration (2 Samuel 15—18).

Those wanting to replace David as king would have wanted him to die. They would want his legacy erased. David began his psalm expressing confidence that God would protect the life and reputation of godly people (Psalm 41:1–3). In the case of Absalom's revolt, this was especially relevant. Absalom himself had no son (2 Samuel 18:18)—if he retained the throne, it would likely mean the end of David's line. Yet God had promised David's descendants would occupy the throne of Israel forever (2 Samuel 7:11–16). Ultimately, Jesus Christ, David's chief descendant, and heir to David's throne, will reign over Israel as her long-awaited king. In his salutation to Mary, the angel Gabriel announced, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:31–33).

David admitted his sin (Psalm 41:4) and expected God to forgive and rescue him (Psalm 41:11–12). He anticipates that God can "heal" him of sin and preserve him from these attacking forces.

Psalm 41:5–10 continues David's assertion that the Lord is gracious. He prays again for the healing which he earlier tied to spiritual concerns. His enemies want to see him die. They lie to his face and plot behind his back. Even his close friend has betrayed him. Most commentators believe this describes David's experience during the rebellion of his son, Absalom, and close advisor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15—18).

David observes that blessing comes to the person who shows kindness to the poor. As someone who did just that, David perceives that God is working to protect him from the schemes of his enemies. He admits he has sinned and declares that his enemies want to see him die. These hypocrites scheme and plot while telling lies. Even a close friend has turned into an enemy. David is certain the Lord will vindicate him and not allow his enemy to be victorious over him. He believes the Lord has upheld him and given him assurance of everlasting life in His presence. He concludes Psalm 41 by ascribing praise to the Lord, Israel's God, who is eternal.

This is the last entry in what is often considered the first "book," or major division, of the Psalms. Echoing themes of Psalms 38 and 39, David cries out to the Lord about sin and sickness. This passage refers specifically to betrayal and pressure from enemies. That makes the likely historical context the rebellion led by David's son, Absalom. During that series of events, David's close counselor, Ahithophel, betrayed him (2 Samuel 15—18).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.