Psalms 41:8

An evil disease, [say they], cleaveth fast unto him: and [now] that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

An evil {H1100} disease {H1697}, say they, cleaveth fast {H3332}{H8803)} unto him: and now that he lieth {H7901}{H8804)} he shall rise up {H6965}{H8800)} no more {H3254}{H8686)}.

"A fatal disease has attached itself to him; now that he lies ill, he will never get up."

โ€œA vile disease has been poured into him; he will never get up from where he lies!โ€

An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him; And now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 41:8

Psalm 41 is the final psalm of Book One of the Psalter, attributed to David. It opens with a blessing for those who consider the poor and afflicted (Psalm 41:1), but quickly transitions into David's personal lament over his own severe illness and the treachery of his close associates and enemies. This verse, Psalms 41:8, captures the cruel words and malicious hopes of David's adversaries. They not only rejoice in his suffering but also interpret his physical affliction as a sign of divine judgment, believing he is beyond recovery and will face a permanent downfall.

The psalm reflects David's deep distress, exacerbated by the betrayal of a trusted friend, a theme echoed later in the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot (John 13:18, referencing Psalm 41:9).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Malicious Schadenfreude: The verse vividly portrays the enemies' joy and relief at David's suffering. They actively wish for his demise, revealing a deep-seated animosity.
  • False Accusation and Misjudgment: By declaring "An evil disease... cleaveth fast unto him," the enemies are not merely observing David's sickness; they are attributing it to some inherent wickedness or divine curse. This reflects a common ancient belief that illness was a direct punishment for sin, a notion challenged elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., John 9:3).
  • Hope for Permanent Downfall: The phrase "he shall rise up no more" signifies their desire for David's complete and irreversible ruin, not just physical death but the end of his influence and reign. This highlights the severity of their opposition.
  • Vulnerability of Leadership: Even a powerful king like David was susceptible to illness, betrayal, and the cruel words of his enemies, emphasizing the human condition and the need for divine support.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's "An evil disease" translates the Hebrew phrase devar beliya'al (ื“ึฐึผื‘ึทืจ ื‘ึฐึผืœึดื™ึทึผืขึทืœ). While "disease" fits the context of physical affliction, davar literally means "word," "thing," or "matter." Beliya'al often translates to "worthlessness," "wickedness," or "scoundrel." Thus, "a thing/word of wickedness" implies a severe, perhaps even morally attributed, affliction that has taken hold of him. The enemies are essentially saying, "Something truly wicked has seized him," implying divine retribution or an incurable malady. The word "cleaveth fast" (ื“ึธึผื‘ึทืง - dabaq) suggests a clinging, inescapable bond, reinforcing the idea of a persistent and fatal condition.

Practical Application

Psalms 41:8 speaks to the enduring human experience of facing adversity, especially when coupled with the unkindness or malicious hopes of others. It reminds us:

  • To Guard Against Maliciousness: We should be wary of rejoicing in others' misfortunes or attributing their suffering to hidden sins. Such attitudes reflect a lack of compassion and can be deeply hurtful.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Like David, believers can find solace in God's faithfulness even when enemies wish for their downfall. God's plan for us often transcends the immediate circumstances and the desires of our adversaries (Psalm 27:1).
  • Resilience in Suffering: Despite the enemies' declaration that he would "rise up no more," David ultimately found deliverance and healing, testifying to God's power to restore and vindicate. This offers hope to those facing debilitating challenges or despair.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency to judge and condemn, but also of the believer's call to trust in God's ultimate justice and healing power, even when others predict ruin.

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

  • Psalms 71:11

    Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for [there is] none to deliver [him].

  • Job 2:7

    ยถ So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

  • Job 2:8

    And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

  • Psalms 3:2

    Many [there be] which say of my soul, [There is] no help for him in God. Selah.

  • Matthew 27:63

    Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

  • Matthew 27:64

    Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

  • Luke 13:16

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
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