Psalm 41:7 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,

NASB: All who hate me whisper together against me; They plot my harm against me, saying,

CSB: All who hate me whisper together about me; they plan to harm me.

NLT: All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst.

KJV: All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

NKJV: All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt.

In this passage, David describes the hateful conduct of his enemies. In a biblical context, such "whispering" refers to plotting or other malicious speech (Proverbs 16:28; 26:20). The Hebrew phrase āl ay' yahsebu' l i' rā'āh is an expression with more than one meaning. It could mean these enemies envision David's downfall. It could also mean they invent plans for such things. Either way, his opponents have his absolute defeat in mind. They discuss it and try to hide their intent. A likely context for this psalm is the rebellion of David's son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15—18).

Jesus, the chief descendant of David, also faced bitter opposition from His enemies. Their goal was also to see Jesus killed and erased. Those who wanted to kill Jesus included Herod, the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, certain Jews, and the angry crowd that shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" On the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter addressed the Jews and told them: "this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men" (Acts 2:23). Later in this psalm, David refers to betrayal (Psalm 41:9); Jesus would cite this in reference to Judas (John 13:18).

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.