Salmos 41
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 41:1-3
41:1-3 This first strophe is describing the blessings (BDB 80, see note at Ps. 1:1, see SPECIAL TOPIC: BLESSING) of the person who obeys the Law of Moses, which requires Israel to be kind, supportive, and attentive to those in need ("poor," BDB 195, cf. Exod. 23:5; Lev. 14:21; Ps. 72:13; 82:3; 113:7; Prov. 19:17; 21:13; 28:3,8; 29:7,14). Those who help them are, in reality, helping their God (see Jesus' discussion about the last judgment in Matt. 25:31-46). The type of persons described by this term (Job described himself in these terms). widow (cf. Exod. 22:22; Deut. 10:18; 24:17-18; 27:19; Ps. 68:5) orphan alien (cf. Lev. 19:33-34; Exod. 22:21; Deut. 24:17-18; 27:19) blind/lame socially powerless (landless) bereft of worldly provisions (no necessary things for life — food, shelter, work, etc.) Notice what YHWH will do for an obedient covenant follower (helping the poor is just one item but it stands here for the whole law). YHWH will deliver him in a day of trouble YHWH will protect him YHWH will keep him alive he will be called "blessed" (MT has imperfect but the Masoretic scholars thought the perfect with a waw was better; the meaning does not change) YHWH will not give him over to his enemies YHWH will sustain him upon his sickbed YHWH will restore him to health (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING) Notice all the imperfect verbs, denoting ongoing actions by God throughout life. Just a note about the general statements like this in Wisdom Literature. This should not be understood as a promise that affects every person, every time, who helps the poor. This is a general statement. This is true the majority of the time but not each and every time. We live in a fallen world! This is a good illustration of Matthew 7. How one lives, how one speaks, how one allocates his resources and time reveal the priority commitment of the heart! 41:2 "upon the earth" The Hebrew word "land" (BDB 75, see SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH) can mean field district country area world Only context can tell. I have been convinced by Bernard Ramm, The Christian View of Science and Scripture that the flood of Genesis 6-9 was local because of the use of this word in that context. See my commentary on Genesis 1-11 online free at www.freebiblecommentary.org.
Salmos 41:4-9
41:4-9 The logical connection between these strophes is not stated. Possibly the author was a man like the one described in Ps. 41:1-3, but his life was in distress and under attack from others. Apparently he recognized that he had sinned (Ps. 41:4). Many of the last psalms of Book I (Psalm 1-41) mention a confession or acknowledgment of sin. There are several problems mentioned. he is sick of body and spirit he has enemies who slander him (Ps. 41:5-7) they are planning evil against him (Ps. 41:7-8) his enemies were at one time close friends (Ps. 41:9; cf. Ps. 35:11-16; 55:12-13,20). This is quoted in John 13:18 about Judas' betrayal of Jesus. 41:4b "Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You" This is a Qal imperative (BDB 950, KB 1272). This request is made because the psalmist recognizes his sin and need for forgiveness. "Healing" is often imagery for forgiveness (cf. Ps. 103:2; Isa. 1:5-6; Jer. 30:17). For "soul" see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH. 41:7 "whisper together" This verb (BDB 538, KB 527, Hithpael imperfect) can be used of curses/charms (cf. Ps. 58:5; Eccl. 10:11; Isa. 3:2-3) or it could just be people speaking in a low voice so as not to be heard (cf. 2 Sam. 12:19) or a low voice in prayer (cf. Isa. 26:16). If it does refer to a curse in this context, Ps. 41:8 is the result. 41:8 "a wicked thing is poured out upon me" "an evil disease, they say, clings to him" "they think a deadly thing has fastened on to him" "They say, 'He is fatally ill'" "a fatal sickness has a grip on him" "an evil spell is cast on him, they say" The term "wicked" (BDB 116) later became the title Belial (i.e., Deut. 13:13; 2 Cor. 6:15). It was used in several senses, a good sample is in 1 Sam.1:16; 2:12; 25:17. The usage here seems to be a personification of a disease which they would have seen as being sent by YHWH because of the sin of the psalmist (i.e., Job's three friends). But YHWH's actions toward him in Ps. 41:10-12 show that their statements are lies/slander. 41:9 "Has lifted his heel against me" This act of cultural rejection (notice there is no parallel passage) came after a fellowship/covenant meal (cf. Gen. 26:28-30; 31:51-54; Exod. 12:18; 24:5; Ps. 69:22). It is possible to see this as an act of aggression/violence against the psalmist (i.e., stomped with the feet) an act of insult expressed by a gesture. In the Middle East it is still a strong insult to show someone the bottom of one's shoe. The rejection is all the more poignant because of the apparent friendship between the two of them. ▣ "my close friend" This is literally "man of peace who turned out to be a child of Beliel" (Ps. 41:8a). This idiom is also used in Jer. 38:22; Obad. 1:7. This is such a difficult thing to occur!
Salmos 41:10-12
41:10-12 In Ps. 41:4 there were two requests (imperatives). be gracious to me – BDB 335, KB 334, Qal imperative heal my soul (nephesh, see note at Ps. 3:2 and Gen. 35:18 online) – BDB 950, KB 1272, Qal imperative; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH Now in the next strophe there are two imperatives and a cohortative. same as #1 above, Ps. 41:4 raise me – BDB 877, KB 1086, Hiphil imperative (same request, different but parallel verb from #2 above), Ps. 41:4 that I may repay them — BDB 1022, KB 1532 Piel cohortative; the psalmist wants to be YHWH's instrument of justice Healing will be a visible evidence that YHWH has heard and answered his prayers. It is not just the visible manifestation of YHWH that rejoices the psalmist but it is a sign YHWH is pleased (BDB 342, KB 339, Qal perfect) with him YHWH has upheld (BDB 1069, KB 1751, Qal perfect, cf. Ps. 63:8) his integrity (BDB 1070), which means innocence (cf. Ps. 25:21; 101:2; Prov. 10:9; 19:1; 20:7; 28:6) YHWH set him (BDB 662, KB 714, Hiphil imperfect with waw) in His presence (i.e., tabernacle/temple, cf. Ps. 16:11; 23:6; 27:4-6) 41:12b "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam).
Salmos 41:13
41:13 This is a doxological, liturgical close (cf. Ps. 72:18-19; 89:52; 103:19-22; 106:48; 150:6). It probably was not originally part of Psalm 41, but a general close to the first book (Psalm 1-41) of the Psalter (see Jewish Study Bible, p. 1328). Psalm 72:18-19 ends Book II Psalm 89:52 ends Book III Psalm 106:47-48 ends Book IV Psalm 150:6 ends Book V ▣ "Amen, and Amen" See SPECIAL TOPIC: AMEN