Psalms 41:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou, O LORD {H3068}, be merciful {H2603}{H8798)} unto me, and raise me up {H6965}{H8685)}, that I may requite {H7999}{H8762)} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

But you, ADONAI, have pity on me, put me on my feet, so I can pay them back.

Berean Standard Bible

But You, O LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.

American Standard Version

But thou, O Jehovah, have mercy upon me, and raise me up, That I may requite them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 41:10 encapsulates a fervent plea from the psalmist, likely King David, who, suffering from severe illness and profound betrayal, appeals to the LORD for divine mercy and restoration. This verse marks a pivotal shift from lamenting his dire circumstances to expressing a deep trust in God's power to heal him, restore his strength, and justly vindicate him against his malicious enemies, thereby demonstrating God's unwavering justice and sovereign authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 41 serves as the concluding psalm of Book One of the Psalter (Psalms 1-41), often attributed to King David. It is a deeply personal and poignant lament, characterized by the psalmist's profound distress over a debilitating illness and, more acutely, the agonizing betrayal by close associates, including a "familiar friend" as detailed in [Psalms 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Psalms 41:9 - Betrayal by a Familiar Friend"). The preceding verses vividly describe the psalmist's enemies gloating over his suffering, eagerly anticipating his demise, and spreading malicious rumors, even wishing for his name to perish ([Psalms 41:5](/psalms/41-5 "Psalms 41:5 - Enemies Wish for David's Death")). Within this narrative, [Psalms 41:10](/psalms/41-10 "Psalms 41:10 - A Plea for Mercy and Vindication") represents a crucial turning point, a desperate cry for divine intervention and a confident appeal for God's mercy and strength to overcome his adversaries, shifting from a description of his plight to an active petition for God to act on his behalf.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a king's health and ability to govern were often seen as direct reflections of divine favor and legitimacy. Illness or weakness could be interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or a vulnerability that enemies would eagerly exploit, making the psalmist's physical suffering particularly acute in its broader implications for his reign and reputation. The concept of "requiting" (repaying or retaliating) enemies was not solely about personal vengeance but was deeply intertwined with the administration of justice and the demonstration of a king's God-given authority to maintain order and defend his people. When a king was betrayed or undermined, his ability to "requite" those who sought his downfall was a crucial aspect of restoring order and upholding the divinely appointed structure of society, ensuring that righteousness prevailed. This plea for God to "raise me up" and enable him to "requite them" thus carries significant weight concerning both personal vindication and the re-establishment of righteous governance and societal stability.
* **Key Themes:** Several major theological and narrative themes converge and are powerfully articulated in [Psalms 41:10](/psalms/41-10 "Psalms 41:10 - David's Prayer for Deliverance"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Mercy and Grace**, as David's primary appeal is for God's unmerited favor (H2603, _chânan_), recognizing his utter dependence on God's compassionate character. Secondly, the verse highlights **Restoration and Healing**, with the plea to "raise me up" (H6965, _qûwm_) signifying not only physical recovery from illness but also a comprehensive restoration of strength, honor, and position, echoing themes found in other psalms of healing and deliverance, such as [Psalms 30:2-3](/psalms/30-2-3 "Psalms 30:2-3 - God's Healing Power"). Thirdly, it addresses **Vindication and Divine Justice**, where the desire to "requite them" (H7999, _shâlam_) is understood as a request for God to enact justice against those who maliciously sought his harm, rather than a call for personal revenge, aligning with the broader biblical principle that [vengeance belongs to the Lord](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord"). Finally, the psalm demonstrates an unwavering **Trust in God Amidst Betrayal and Suffering**, as David, despite profound pain and the treachery of those close to him, consistently turns to God as his ultimate refuge and source of deliverance, reflecting the deep faith expressed throughout the Psalter, such as in [Psalms 62:5-8](/psalms/62-5-8 "Psalms 62:5-8 - Trusting God Alone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God who is faithful to His covenant promises. The psalmist's direct address to "O LORD" emphasizes his appeal to the personal, relational God who has the power and character to intervene decisively in his desperate situation.
* **Merciful (Hebrew, _chânan'_):** This primitive root signifies to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, or to show grace. It is a deep, heartfelt cry for God's compassionate intervention, acknowledging the psalmist's utter dependence on divine goodness and unmerited kindness. It implies a plea for God to act out of His character of loving-kindness, not based on the psalmist's merit or deservingness, but out of His own gracious nature.
* **Raise me up (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This primitive root means to rise, stand up, or establish. In this context, it conveys a multifaceted desire: physical recovery from a debilitating illness, restoration of strength and vitality, and a re-establishment of his rightful status and authority in the face of those who wished for his demise. It is a prayer for a complete turnaround from weakness and vulnerability to strength and vindication, a divine act of lifting him from the brink of death and humiliation.
* **Requite them (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** This primitive root means to be safe, to be completed, to reciprocate, to recompense, or to make restitution. When applied to "requiting" enemies, it signifies a desire for God to bring about a just and complete resolution to the situation, where the malicious actions of his adversaries are met with appropriate consequences. It is a prayer for divine justice, where God enables the psalmist to administer righteous judgment, ensuring that order is restored and that those who sought his downfall face the just recompense for their deeds, not out of personal vindictiveness but as an instrument of divine righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me":** This opening clause marks a decisive turning point from the psalmist's lament over his suffering and betrayal to a direct, earnest appeal to God. The conjunction "But" signals a shift from despair to hope, anchoring his petition in the character of the covenant God, Yahweh. It underscores his recognition that only divine intervention, rooted in God's inherent character of grace and compassion, can deliver him from his dire circumstances. It is a plea for unmerited favor in a moment of profound vulnerability and desperate need.
* **"and raise me up":** This phrase expresses a desperate longing for comprehensive restoration. While it certainly includes a desire for physical healing from his debilitating illness, it also encompasses a broader request for the restoration of his strength, honor, and rightful position as king. It signifies a prayer for God to lift him out of his current state of weakness, humiliation, and near-death, enabling him to stand firm once more, regaining his vitality and authority.
* **"that I may requite them":** This concluding purpose clause reveals the psalmist's desire for vindication and the administration of justice. The term "requite" (H7999, _shâlam_) implies a desire for a just completion or recompense for the evil deeds committed against him. It is not merely a call for personal vengeance but a plea for God to empower him to act as an agent of divine justice, ensuring that those who maliciously sought his downfall face appropriate consequences. His restoration would serve as a visible testament to God's righteous judgment against his adversaries and the re-establishment of divine order.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 41:10 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey the psalmist's profound distress and fervent hope. The primary device is **Lament**, as the verse is embedded within a psalm that expresses deep sorrow, suffering, and distress over illness and betrayal. Flowing from this, it is also a direct **Plea** or supplication, a fervent and urgent appeal to God for specific actions: mercy, restoration, and empowerment for justice. There is a strong **Antithesis** between the psalmist's current state of weakness, humiliation, and betrayal, and his desired state of strength, vindication, and re-established authority. His enemies gloat over his potential demise, while David prays for God to "raise him up," creating a stark contrast that highlights God's power to reverse fortunes. Furthermore, the phrase "raise me up" functions as a **Metaphor** for comprehensive restoration—not just physical healing, but also a return to power, honor, and authority, symbolizing a complete reversal of his fortunes. The psalmist's reliance on God for the ability to "requite" his enemies also highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** over justice, even when human agents are involved, emphasizing that true justice originates with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 41:10 stands as a powerful testament to the believer's recourse to God in times of profound suffering and betrayal. It affirms God's character as the ultimate source of mercy, healing, and justice, even when human relationships fail and earthly support crumbles. The psalmist's prayer for vindication, understood not as personal revenge but as a desire for God's righteous order to be re-established, aligns with the broader biblical understanding that justice ultimately belongs to the Lord. This verse teaches that our deepest hurts, our desires for healing, and our longing for justice should be brought before God, trusting Him to act in His perfect timing and according to His righteous will, rather than resorting to self-vindication or succumbing to bitterness. It underscores the hope of restoration that God offers to His faithful, even from the brink of despair, demonstrating His faithfulness to uphold His covenant and defend His own.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Leave Room for God's Wrath")
* [James 5:15](/james/5-15 "James 5:15 - Prayer of Faith for the Sick")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 41:10 offers profound solace and guidance for believers navigating the painful realities of illness, betrayal, and injustice in a fallen world. It reminds us that in our deepest moments of vulnerability, when friends abandon us and adversaries gloat, our first and most potent recourse is to turn to the LORD, the unfailing source of mercy and strength. Like David, we are invited to lay bare our suffering and our longing for restoration before God, trusting that His compassion is boundless and His power to "raise us up" is absolute, encompassing not only physical healing but also emotional, spiritual, and relational renewal. Furthermore, this verse shapes our understanding of justice; rather than succumbing to bitterness or seeking personal revenge, we are called to commit our desire for vindication into God's sovereign hands, knowing that He is the righteous Judge who will ultimately set all things right and ensure that His justice prevails. Our hope is anchored not in our own strength or ability to retaliate, but in God's faithfulness to uphold His covenant and defend His own, bringing about true peace and completion (_shâlam_).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "low" or "cast down" due to illness, betrayal, or injustice, and how might you specifically pray for God to "raise you up" in those areas?**
* **How does the psalmist's prayer to "requite them" challenge or affirm your own understanding of justice in the face of betrayal or wrongdoing, especially regarding personal vengeance versus divine justice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to entrust your desire for justice to God, rather than seeking personal retribution or allowing bitterness to take root?**
* **How does remembering God's character as "merciful" (H2603, _chânan_) impact your prayers when you are suffering or feel wronged by others?**

### FAQ
**Is David's prayer to "requite them" a call for personal revenge?**

Answer: No, David's prayer to "requite them" (H7999, _shâlam_) is not a call for personal revenge in the sense of vindictive retaliation driven by personal malice. Instead, it is a profound plea for divine justice and vindication. In the biblical context, especially for a king, "requiting" enemies often referred to the administration of justice and the re-establishment of righteous order under God's authority. David is asking God to empower him to act as an instrument of divine justice, ensuring that those who maliciously sought his downfall face the consequences of their actions, and that his own rightful position is restored. This aligns with the principle that vengeance ultimately belongs to God, as seen in [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine") and echoed in the New Testament in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves"). His desire is for God to set things right and bring about a just completion (_shâlam_) to the situation, not for personal spite or unrighteous retribution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 41:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the psalmist's plea and God's response. David's experience of debilitating illness and agonizing betrayal by a close friend ([Psalms 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Psalms 41:9 - Betrayal by a Familiar Friend")) powerfully foreshadows the ultimate betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, a fulfillment explicitly cited by Jesus Himself in [John 13:18](/john/13-18 "John 13:18 - Jesus Predicts His Betrayal"). While David prayed to be "raised up" from illness and the schemes of his enemies, Jesus was literally and triumphantly "raised up" from the dead, conquering sin and death forever ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus Up")). His resurrection is the ultimate act of God's mercy and vindication, demonstrating His supreme power over all adversaries and establishing His eternal reign. Furthermore, Jesus, the true King, did not seek personal vengeance but instead exemplified divine mercy by praying for His executioners ("Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" - [Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Prays for His Executioners")). Yet, He is also the one who will ultimately "requite" all evil, returning in glory to judge the living and the dead ([Matthew 25:31-32](/matthew/25-31-32 "Matthew 25:31-32 - The Son of Man Will Judge All Nations")). Thus, in Christ, we see the perfect embodiment of God's boundless mercy, the ultimate "raising up" from death to life, and the righteous administration of divine justice, bringing about God's perfect _shalom_ and fulfilling the deepest longings expressed in this psalm.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 19:27

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

Psalms 109:6

¶ Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

Psalms 109:21

¶ But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy [is] good, deliver thou me.

Psalms 3:3

But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalms 21:8

Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

Psalms 21:10

Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

Psalms 57:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities be overpast.