Psalms 141:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Let the righteous smite me; [it shall be] a kindness: and let him reprove me; [it shall be] an excellent oil, [which] shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also [shall be] in their calamities.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Let the righteous strike me, let him correct me; it will be an act of love. Let my head not refuse such choice oil, for I will keep on praying about their wickedness.

Berean Standard Bible:

Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.

American Standard Version:

Let the righteous smite me, it shall bea kindness; And let him reprove me, it shall be asoil upon the head; Let not my head refuse it: For even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let the righteous^{H6662} smite^{H1986} me; it shall be a kindness^{H2617}: and let him reprove^{H3198} me; it shall be an excellent^{H7218} oil^{H8081}, which shall not break^{H5106} my head^{H7218}: for yet my prayer^{H8605} also shall be in their calamities^{H7451}.

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Commentary for Psalms 141:5

Psalm 141:5 is part of a Psalm attributed to David, though the historical context of when it was written is not specified. This verse reflects a theme common in the wisdom literature of the Bible, where accepting correction is seen as a path to righteousness and wisdom. The speaker in the Psalm is asking for the discipline and rebuke of the righteous to be administered as an act of kindness. This perspective is rooted in the belief that constructive criticism from a righteous person is valuable and beneficial, akin to "an excellent oil" that soothes and heals rather than injures.

The imagery of oil in the Bible often symbolizes prosperity, joy, and divine blessing. Here, it suggests that reproof from the righteous is not meant to harm but to heal and anoint, much like the healing properties of oil in ancient times. The speaker welcomes this correction as a means to personal refinement and spiritual growth. Furthermore, the verse concludes with the speaker expressing a commitment to pray for those who offer correction, even in times of their own distress or "calamities."

This reflects a humble and teachable spirit, recognizing that even those who offer reproof may themselves be in need of support and intercession. The themes of humility, the value of correction, and mutual prayerful support among the faithful are timeless and resonate with both the historical audience of the Psalms and contemporary readers seeking guidance on personal growth and community relationships within a faith context.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6662
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צַדִּיק
   Transliteration: tsaddîyq
   Pronunciation: tsad-deek'
   Description: from צָדַק; just; just, lawful, righteous (man).
   
2. Strong's Number: H1986
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָלַם
   Transliteration: hâlam
   Pronunciation: haw-lam'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband; beat (down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer).
   
3. Strong's Number: H2617
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵסֵד
   Transliteration: chêçêd
   Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
   Description: from חָסַד; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3198
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכַח
   Transliteration: yâkach
   Pronunciation: yaw-kahh'
   Description: a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict; appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8081
   There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
   Transliteration: shemen
   Pronunciation: sheh'-men
   Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5106
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נוּא
   Transliteration: nûwʼ
   Pronunciation: noo
   Description: a primitive root; to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize; break, disallow, discourage, make of none effect.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8605
   There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּפִלָּה
   Transliteration: tᵉphillâh
   Pronunciation: tef-il-law'
   Description: from פָּלַל; intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn; prayer.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).