Psalms 41:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

Complete Jewish Bible:

My enemies say the worst about me: "When will he die and his name disappear?"

Berean Standard Bible:

My enemies say with malice: “When will he die and be forgotten?”

American Standard Version:

Mine enemies speak evil against me, saying, When will he die, and his name perish?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Mine enemies^{H341}{H8802)} speak^{H559}{H8799)} evil^{H7451} of me, When shall he die^{H4191}{H8799)}, and his name^{H8034} perish^{H6}{H8804)}?

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Commentary for Psalms 41:5

Psalm 41:5, which reads, "Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?", is part of a lament psalm attributed to David. In this verse, the psalmist expresses the pain of being slandered by his adversaries, who not only wish harm upon him but also desire the complete eradication of his legacy. The historical context of this psalm may reflect a period in David's life when he faced betrayal and opposition, possibly during the rebellion led by his son Absalom or from other enemies throughout his reign as king.

The themes of the verse include the deep distress caused by the malicious words of foes, the vulnerability of reputation, and the very human fear of being forgotten or having one's influence extinguished. It touches on the fragility of life and the lasting impact of a person's name and deeds in the collective memory of the community. The psalmist's cry reflects a common human experience of facing malice and the desire for vindication against those who unjustly seek one's downfall.

In the broader context of the Psalms, this verse is part of the literature of the Hebrew Bible that serves both as a personal expression of faith and as a communal resource for worship and prayer. It gives voice to the suffering of the righteous and the hope for divine justice, which are recurring motifs throughout the Psalter. The psalm ultimately turns to God as a source of help and deliverance, emphasizing trust in God's protection and the belief that one's integrity will be upheld against the deceitfulness of enemies.

*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: H341
   There are 481 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹיֵב
   Transliteration: ʼôyêb
   Pronunciation: o-yabe'
   Description: or (fully) אוֹיֵב; active participle of אָיַב; hating; an adversary; enemy, foe.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. 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.).
   
4. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6
   There are 14291 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָבַד
   Transliteration: ʼâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy); break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.