Psalm 41:6 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.

NASB: And when he comes to see me, he speaks empty words; His heart gathers wickedness to itself; When he goes outside, he tells it.

CSB: When one of them comes to visit, he speaks deceitfully; he stores up evil in his heart; he goes out and talks.

NLT: They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.

KJV: And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

NKJV: And if he comes to see me, he speaks lies; His heart gathers iniquity to itself; When he goes out, he tells it.

The inspiration for this psalm was most likely the rebellion led by David's son, Absalom, and David's trusted advisor, Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15—18). Not only would David have to contend with open enemies, but he'd also need to watch for false friends. In this verse, he notes that some who pretend to be helpful are insincere: their words are "empty." Worse, when they leave, they maliciously spread rumors and gossip. This parallels the experience of Job; his story reminds us that some so-called-comforters are no comfort at all (Job 42:7).

Proverbs 6:16–19 records a series of sins which God especially detests. David's hypocritical visitors displayed at least four of those things: "a lying tongue," "a heart that devises wicked plans," "feet that make haste to run to evil," and "a false witness who breathes out lies." The apostle Peter urges Christians to "put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:1). Instead of retaining such evil traits, Christians ought to "long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it [they] may grow up into salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).

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.