Psalms 41:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 41:5 vividly portrays the psalmist's profound anguish as he recounts the malicious desires of his adversaries, who not only wish for his physical demise but also fervently long for the complete obliteration of his memory, reputation, and legacy. This verse starkly illustrates the depth of hatred and animosity faced by the righteous from those who oppose them, setting a poignant backdrop for the psalmist's subsequent appeals to God for healing and vindication amidst personal suffering and betrayal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 41 concludes Book One of the Psalter, serving as a deeply personal lament attributed to King David. The psalm commences with a beatitude that blesses those who show compassion to the poor and infirm (cf. [Psalm 41:1-3](/psalms/41-1-3 "Psalm 41:1-3 - Blessing for the Compassionate")), immediately establishing a stark contrast with the psalmist's own debilitating illness and the cruel indifference, even active malice, of his enemies. The narrative oscillates between expressions of physical affliction, the profound treachery of a trusted friend (a theme echoed in [Psalm 55](/psalms/55 "Psalm 55 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Treachery")), and fervent prayers for divine intervention and healing. Verse 5 specifically articulates the venomous nature of his enemies' verbal attacks, following the psalmist's confession of sin (cf. [Psalm 41:4](/psalms/41-4 "Psalm 41:4 - David's Confession and Plea")) and preceding his direct appeal to God for mercy and recovery (cf. [Psalm 41:10](/psalms/41-10 "Psalm 41:10 - David's Prayer for Vengeance")). This verse underscores the acute psychological and spiritual pain inflicted by malicious speech, intensifying the pervasive sense of betrayal and vulnerability that defines the entire psalm.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to David, this psalm likely reflects experiences during periods of intense personal and political vulnerability, such as his flight from Absalom's rebellion or the devastating treachery of Ahithophel, a trusted counselor who defected to Absalom's side (cf. [2 Samuel 15-17](/2_samuel/15-17 "2 Samuel 15-17 - Absalom's Rebellion and Ahithophel's Treachery")). In ancient Near Eastern culture, a person's "name" (Hebrew: _shêm_) was far more than a mere appellation; it was synonymous with their reputation, character, honor, legacy, and even their very existence and influence within the community. To wish for someone's "name to perish" was to desire their complete and utter annihilation, not merely physical death but also the erasure of their memory, influence, and lineage from history. Such a wish was a potent curse or a declaration of ultimate contempt against defeated enemies or those considered utterly despicable. The public nature of "speaking evil" (slander, gossip, defamation) was a formidable weapon, capable of undermining a leader's authority and social standing, particularly when combined with a perceived weakness like illness, as it could be interpreted as divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 41 and the broader Psalter. It profoundly underscores the theme of the **suffering of the righteous**, where the godly endure unjust affliction and malicious opposition from the wicked, a motif recurrent throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 35](/psalms/35 "Psalm 35 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies")). It also highlights the pervasive theme of **slander and betrayal**, especially from those expected to be allies, amplifying the psalmist's anguish (cf. [Psalm 55:12-14](/psalms/55-12-14 "Psalm 55:12-14 - Betrayal by a Close Friend")). Furthermore, the enemies' desire for the psalmist's complete obliteration ("his name perish") points to the crucial theme of **divine vindication and the enduring legacy of the righteous**. Despite the malevolent wishes of his adversaries, the psalmist ultimately trusts God to preserve his life and reputation, contrasting sharply with the ultimate fate of the wicked, whose memory often perishes (e.g., [Psalm 37](/psalms/37 "Psalm 37 - The Destiny of the Righteous and the Wicked")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Enemies (Hebrew, _ʼôyêb'_):** From H341, this term denotes an adversary or foe, specifically one who is "hating." It is an active participle, emphasizing the ongoing, deliberate hostility and animosity directed towards the psalmist. This is not passive opposition but an active, malevolent force.
* **Speak (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, this primitive root signifies "to say" with great latitude, encompassing declaring, commanding, demanding, or uttering speech. In this context, combined with "evil," it denotes a deliberate act of vocalizing malicious intent, not merely thinking it.
* **Evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this word describes something bad or morally evil, encompassing adversity, calamity, mischief, or wickedness. When paired with "speak," it specifies that the utterances are not just critical but are harmful, destructive, and morally corrupt, designed to inflict damage.
* **Perish (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** From H6, this primitive root means to wander away, lose oneself, or by implication, to be utterly destroyed or annihilated. When applied to a "name," it signifies the complete erasure of one's identity, memory, and legacy from existence, as if one had never been. This reveals the extreme depth of hatred and the desire for total, irreversible oblivion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mine enemies speak evil of me,"**: This opening clause immediately identifies the source of the psalmist's distress: his adversaries. The phrase "speak evil" (Hebrew: _y'dabb'ru ra'ah_) implies a deliberate and active campaign of verbal assault, including slander, malicious gossip, and defamation. It is not a private thought but a public declaration, designed to harm his reputation, undermine his standing, and hasten his downfall. This highlights the psychological and social torment inflicted by such attacks.
* **"When shall he die,"**: This is a chilling, impatient rhetorical question that reveals the immediate, visceral desire of the enemies for the psalmist's physical demise. It is not a genuine inquiry but an expression of fervent, almost bloodthirsty longing for his death, perhaps even a public declaration of their hope for his quick end. It underscores their active malevolence and impatience for his suffering to culminate in death.
* **"and his name perish?"**: This second rhetorical question reveals an even deeper, more insidious desire. Beyond physical death, the enemies wish for the complete obliteration of the psalmist's identity, memory, and legacy. To have one's "name perish" (Hebrew: _yo'ved shêm_) was the ultimate disgrace and destruction in ancient culture, signifying that all one stood for, achieved, or represented would be utterly forgotten and without lasting impact. It is a wish for total annihilation, both physically and historically.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 41:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey the psalmist's anguish and the enemies' profound malice. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("When shall he die, and his name perish?"). This is not a question seeking information but rather a powerful, impatient expression of the enemies' fervent desire for the psalmist's demise and complete oblivion. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** in the pairing of "die" and "his name perish," which intensifies the scope of the enemies' malevolent wish, moving from physical cessation to the complete obliteration of legacy and memory. This serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and all-encompassing nature of their hatred. Furthermore, the phrase "speak evil of me" functions as vivid **Imagery**, painting a clear picture of verbal assault and defamation, thereby highlighting the profound psychological and emotional pain inflicted by such attacks.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of human depravity and the constant spiritual warfare faced by those who seek to live righteously. It underscores the reality that those who align with God's purposes often become targets of intense malice and opposition from the kingdom of darkness and its agents. The enemies' desire for the psalmist's name to perish speaks to a deeper spiritual battle—an attempt to erase God's influence and work through His chosen instruments. However, it also sets the stage for God's ultimate vindication, as the Lord is the one who preserves the names and legacies of His faithful. This tension between human malevolence and divine sovereignty is a recurring theological motif throughout Scripture, demonstrating that while the wicked may plot, God's purposes ultimately prevail.

* [Psalm 35:15](/psalms/35-15 "Psalm 35:15 - Enemies rejoice at my stumbling")
* [Psalm 109:20](/psalms/109-20 "Psalm 109:20 - Reward of my adversaries")
* [Matthew 5:11](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11 - Blessed are you when people insult you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world still marked by slander, betrayal, and malicious intent, Psalms 41:5 offers a timeless mirror for the human experience of suffering at the hands of others. Believers today can find solace and a framework for understanding their own trials when facing verbal attacks, online defamation, or the silent desire of others for their downfall. This verse reminds us that such opposition is not new and that even the most righteous figures, like David, experienced profound personal attacks. It encourages us to acknowledge the pain of such experiences, rather than suppress them, and to bring our grievances before God in honest lament, trusting in His ultimate justice and sovereignty. Our response should not be to retaliate in kind, but to anchor our hope in the God who sees, hears, and will ultimately vindicate His own, ensuring that while human enemies may wish for our name to perish, our true identity and eternal legacy are secure in Christ. Our ultimate hope is not in human approval or memory, but in the imperishable name we have in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when you become aware of others speaking maliciously about you or wishing you ill?**
* **In what ways does the desire for someone's "name to perish" manifest in contemporary society (e.g., cancel culture, online shaming, attempts to erase historical figures)?**
* **How does knowing that even biblical figures like David faced such intense personal attacks help you process your own experiences of slander or opposition?**
* **What specific prayers or actions can you take when experiencing the kind of malice described in this verse, aligning your response with biblical principles?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the enemies wishing for the psalmist's "name to perish" rather than just his death?**

Answer: The desire for the psalmist's "name to perish" (Hebrew: _yo'ved shêm_, H6 and H8034) goes far beyond mere physical death. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a person's "name" was intrinsically linked to their identity, reputation, character, legacy, and even their descendants. To wish for a name to perish was to desire the complete and utter annihilation of that person's memory, influence, and all that they represented. It meant they would be forgotten, their achievements undone, their lineage perhaps cut off, and their impact erased from history. This reveals the profound depth of hatred and the malevolent desire for total destruction, ensuring no trace of the psalmist would remain. It's a wish for ultimate disgrace and oblivion, contrasting sharply with the biblical emphasis on an enduring name for the righteous (e.g., [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Righteous")). This desire reflects a spiritual battle to nullify a person's entire existence and purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 41:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. David's experience of malicious enemies wishing for his death and the perishing of his name powerfully foreshadows the unparalleled hatred and betrayal that Jesus endured. From the very beginning of His earthly ministry, religious leaders and political powers spoke evil of Him, slandering His character, questioning His divine authority, and attributing His miracles to demonic power (e.g., [Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - Jesus Accused of Casting Out Demons by Beelzebul")). Their ultimate desire was precisely what David's enemies wished: "When shall he die?" This culminated in their fervent cries of "Crucify him!" (e.g., [John 19:15](/john/19-15 "John 19:15 - Crucify Him!")), and their relentless attempts to silence His message and erase His influence. They sought not only His physical death but also the perishing of His name and legacy, sealing His tomb and setting guards to prevent any notion of resurrection (e.g., [Matthew 27:62-66](/matthew/27-62-66 "Matthew 27:62-66 - The Guard at the Tomb")). Yet, in a glorious and divine reversal, the very name they sought to obliterate is the name above all names (e.g., [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted")), before which every knee will bow and every tongue confess. Jesus conquered death and secured an eternal name and an everlasting kingdom, demonstrating that while the world may wish for the righteous to perish, God ensures their ultimate vindication and eternal glory (e.g., [Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). His resurrection guarantees that His name and legacy will endure forever, providing ultimate hope for all who bear His name.

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

Proverbs 10:7

¶ The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Psalms 102:8

Mine enemies reproach me all the day; [and] they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

Job 20:7

[Yet] he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where [is] he?

Psalms 38:12

¶ They also that seek after my life lay snares [for me]: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

Psalms 22:6

But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalms 22:8

He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Job 18:17

His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.