Psalm 41:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!

NIV: But may you have mercy on me, LORD; raise me up, that I may repay them.

NASB: But You, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, That I may repay them.

CSB: But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up; then I will repay them.

NLT: Lord, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back!

KJV: But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

NKJV: But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up, That I may repay them.

The context for this comment is David's experience with his enemies. They plot for his doom (Psalm 41:5–9), but David is confident that God will forgive his sins and prevent the enemy from winning (Psalm 41:1–4). David knew he deserved punishment for his sins (Psalm 41:4), yet he also knew the Lord is gracious. God's mercy and grace both factor into His treatment of repentant believers. In His mercy, He withholds what the believing sinner deserves, namely punishment. In grace, He gives what the believing sinner does not deserve, namely forgiveness.

Ephesians 2:4 describes God as "being rich in mercy." Verse 8 declares, "For by grace you have been saved through faith." If it were not for God's mercy and grace no one would enjoy a warm, eternal relationship with Him. But mercy and grace bring those who believe on Jesus into an unending, redeemed relationship with Him. Instead of spending eternity in hell, every saved person will live eternally in heaven (John 3:16–18, 36).

Part of David's request is that he might "repay" his enemies. In this context, this means to give them their just, deserved consequences for sin.

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.