Psalms 41:10

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of Psalms 41:10

Psalm 41 is the final psalm of Book One of the Psalter, often attributed to King David. It is a deeply personal lament, expressing the psalmist's distress over severe illness and, more acutely, the betrayal by close companions and even "mine own familiar friend" (Psalm 41:9). David recounts how his enemies are gloating over his suffering, wishing for his death, and spreading false rumors. In this verse, 41:10, David shifts from describing his plight to a fervent plea for divine intervention, seeking God's mercy and strength to overcome his adversaries.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Plea for Divine Mercy: David's primary request is for God's unmerited favor and compassion. He recognizes that only through God's intervention can he be delivered from his dire circumstances. This reflects a deep reliance on God's character as a merciful provider.
  • Desire for Restoration and Healing: The phrase "raise me up" signifies a desperate desire for physical healing from his illness and a restoration of his strength and position. It's a prayer for recovery from a state of weakness and vulnerability.
  • Vindication and Justice: David's request to "requite them" is not simply a call for personal vengeance but a plea for divine justice. In the ancient Near East, a king's ability to "requite" his enemies demonstrated his strength and God-given authority. David seeks God's vindication, believing that his restoration will serve as a just consequence for those who maliciously sought his downfall. This aligns with the biblical principle that vengeance belongs to the Lord.
  • Trust in God Amidst Betrayal: Despite the profound pain of illness and betrayal, David's ultimate recourse is to God, demonstrating unwavering faith in the Lord's ability to hear, heal, and deliver.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Be merciful unto me": The Hebrew word for "merciful" here is ื—ึธื ึทืŸ (chanan), which implies showing favor, pity, or grace. It's a deep cry for God's compassionate intervention, acknowledging human dependence on divine goodness.
  • "Raise me up": The Hebrew verb is ืงื•ึผื (qum), meaning "to rise," "stand up," or "restore." It conveys not only a desire for physical recovery from sickness but also a restoration of his status, honor, and strength in the face of those who wished for his demise. This is a prayer for a complete turnaround in his fortunes.
  • "Requite them": The Hebrew verb is ืฉืื•ึผื‘ (shuv), which literally means "to turn back," "return," or "repay." In this context, it signifies a desire for God to reverse the situation and repay his enemies for their evil deeds. It's a prayer for the enemies to face the consequences of their actions, and for David to be vindicated and restored to a position where he can justly deal with them under God's authority. This is distinct from personal revenge, which is forbidden in other scriptures.

Practical Application and Reflection

Psalms 41:10 offers profound lessons for believers facing hardship, illness, or betrayal:

  • Turn to God in Distress: Like David, when we are at our lowest point, whether due to physical suffering or the pain of betrayal, our first and ultimate recourse should be to God. He is our source of mercy and healing.
  • Trust God for Vindication: It is natural to desire justice when wronged. However, this verse teaches us to commit our desire for requital into God's hands. Rather than seeking personal revenge, we pray for God to set things right and bring about His justice, trusting in His perfect timing and methods.
  • Hope for Restoration: Even in the midst of suffering, we can hold onto hope for God's restorative power. David's plea to be "raised up" speaks to our own hope for spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal, knowing that God is able to bring life out of despair, as He often does for those who trust Him (Psalm 103:3).
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

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

  • Psalms 109:21

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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.
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