Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” New Living Translation But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask. English Standard Version My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die, and his name perish?” Berean Standard Bible My enemies say with malice: “When will he die and be forgotten?” King James Bible Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? New King James Version My enemies speak evil of me: “When will he die, and his name perish?” New American Standard Bible My enemies speak evil against me, “When will he die, and his name perish?” NASB 1995 My enemies speak evil against me, “When will he die, and his name perish?” NASB 1977 My enemies speak evil against me, “When will he die, and his name perish?” Legacy Standard Bible My enemies speak evil against me, “When will he die, and his name perish?” Amplified Bible My enemies speak evil of me, saying, “When will he die and his name perish?” Christian Standard Bible My enemies speak maliciously about me: “When will he die and be forgotten? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible My enemies speak maliciously about me:” 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? Contemporary English Version My vicious enemies ask me, "When will you die and be forgotten?" English Revised Version Mine enemies speak evil against me, saying, When shall he die, and his name perish? GOD'S WORD® Translation My enemies say terrible things about me: "When will he die, and when will his family name disappear?" Good News Translation My enemies say cruel things about me. They want me to die and be forgotten. International Standard Version As for my enemies, with malice they said, "When will he die and memory of his name perish?" NET Bible My enemies ask this cruel question about me, 'When will he finally die and be forgotten?' New Heart English Bible My enemies speak evil against me: "When will he die, and his name perish?" Webster's Bible Translation My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMy enemies say with malice: “When will he die and be forgotten?” World English Bible My enemies speak evil against me: “When will he die, and his name perish?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMy enemies say evil of me: When he dies—his name has perished! Young's Literal Translation Mine enemies say evil of me: When he dieth -- his name hath perished! Smith's Literal Translation Mine enemies will say evil to me: When shall he die, and his name perish? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleMy enemies have spoken evils against me: when shall he die and his name perish? Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible My enemies say bad things against me: ‘When will he die and his name be forgotten?’ New Revised Standard Version My enemies wonder in malice when I will die, and my name perish. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMine enemies speak evil of me: When shall he die, and his name perish? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated My enemies speak evil against me: "But when does he die and his Name perish?" OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Mine enemies speak evil of me: 'When shall he die, and his name perish?' Brenton Septuagint Translation Mine enemies have spoken evil against me, saying, When shall he die, and his name perish? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Blessed is He who Cares for the Poor…4I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.” 5My enemies say with malice: “When will he die and be forgotten?” 6My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad.… Cross References Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Matthew 27:39-44 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ... Mark 15:29-32 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ... Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. John 13:18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying. Acts 23:12-13 When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, Job 19:19 All my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me. Job 30:1-10 “But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs. / What use to me was the strength of their hands, since their vigor had left them? / Gaunt from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, and the desolate wasteland by night. ... Jeremiah 18:18 Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.” Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.” Treasury of Scripture My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? Mine Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people… Psalm 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. his name Job 18:17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. Job 20:7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. Jump to Previous Dead Die Dieth End Enemies Evil Haters Malice Perish Perished Speak WishJump to Next Dead Die Dieth End Enemies Evil Haters Malice Perish Perished Speak WishPsalm 41 1. The recompense of the charitable4. David complains of his enemies' treachery 10. He flees to God for helpfulness My enemies say with malice: This phrase highlights the presence of adversaries in the life of the psalmist, traditionally understood to be David. The term "malice" indicates a deep-seated ill will and intent to harm. In the historical context, David faced numerous enemies, including King Saul and his own son Absalom. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the righteous facing opposition, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel. The presence of enemies is a recurring theme in the Psalms, often symbolizing the spiritual battles faced by believers. “When will he die and be forgotten?” Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David is expressing his lament over the malice and betrayal he faces from his enemies. 2. Enemies These are the individuals who harbor ill will towards David, wishing for his downfall and death. 3. Malice The ill intent and desire for harm that David's enemies express, reflecting the deep-seated animosity they hold. 4. Death and Forgetting The ultimate wish of David's enemies is not just his physical demise but also the erasure of his legacy and memory. 5. Psalm 41 A broader context of this psalm includes themes of betrayal, divine justice, and the hope for God's deliverance. Teaching Points Understanding MaliceRecognize that malice is a deep-seated ill will that can manifest in desires for another's downfall. As Christians, we are called to guard our hearts against such feelings. Responding to Enemies Reflect on how David's experience with enemies can inform our response to those who wish us harm. We are encouraged to seek God's justice rather than personal revenge. The Power of Legacy Consider the importance of living a life that honors God, ensuring that our legacy is not easily forgotten, even in the face of opposition. Trust in God's Deliverance Like David, we can place our trust in God's ability to deliver us from the hands of our enemies and vindicate us in His time. Prayer for Enemies Embrace the challenge of praying for those who oppose us, asking God to transform their hearts and bring reconciliation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 41:5?2. How can we respond to enemies who "speak evil" against us today? 3. What does Psalm 41:5 teach about the power of words? 4. How does Psalm 41:5 connect with Jesus' experiences in the Gospels? 5. How can we pray for those who "speak evil" against us? 6. What steps can we take to guard our hearts against bitterness? 7. How does Psalm 41:5 reflect the theme of betrayal and opposition in the Bible? 8. What historical context might have influenced the writing of Psalm 41:5? 9. How does Psalm 41:5 relate to the concept of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 41? 11. Do verses like Psalm 140:9-10 contradict the New Testament teaching of loving one's enemies (e.g., Matthew 5:44)? 12. If Jesus taught love for enemies (Matthew 5:44), why does Psalm 109 appear to endorse the exact opposite stance? 13. Psalm 23:5 - If God prepares a table for the faithful 'in the presence of enemies,' why do many suffer defeat and persecution? 14. Why does Psalm 43:2 suggest God has forsaken the writer, when other passages emphasize God's constant presence? What Does Psalm 41:5 Mean My enemies sayDavid openly acknowledges that he has real, vocal adversaries. Their words are not imagined; they are spoken aloud. Psalm 71:10 echoes the scene: “For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire together”. The opposition is personal, persistent, and public—reminding us that faithfulness often attracts hostility (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18). with malice The intent behind the speech is evil. • Malice means they wish harm, not merely express disagreement (Psalm 38:12). • Proverbs 26:24 warns, “A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit within”. • The believer should anticipate such heart–level corruption in others while refusing to answer in kind (Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:1). When will he die Their question reveals a desire for David’s physical end. • Saul’s jealous pursuit in 1 Samuel 19 shows how envy morphs into murderous intent. • John 11:53 records the same evil impulse toward Jesus, “So from that day on they plotted to kill Him”. • These enemies do not merely oppose policies or decisions; they crave the psalmist’s death, highlighting the severity of spiritual warfare. and be forgotten? They want David’s memory erased, his influence silenced. • Job 18:17 laments of the wicked, “The memory of him perishes from the earth”. • Psalm 109:15 applies a similar curse to evildoers. • Yet God promises covenant remembrance (Isaiah 49:15-16; Luke 23:42-43), proving that the righteous are never lost in God’s sight even when people long to blot them out. summary Psalm 41:5 unveils hostile hearts determined to see God’s servant dead and erased from memory. Their speech is public, malicious, and death-focused, contrasting sharply with the Lord’s faithful remembrance of His people. While enemies plot oblivion, God secures lasting significance for those who trust Him. (5) Shall he die . . . perish.--Better, When will he die, and his name have perished.Verse 5. - Mine enemies speak evil of me. Another head of suffering, viz. misrepresentation, calumny, abuse, on the part of enemies. Absalom had stolen away the hearts of the children of Israel from David by misrepresenting him (2 Samuel 15:3, 4). Shimei had followed the example, adding to his misrepresentation abuse and cursing (2 Samuel 16:5-8). Absalom's aiders and abettors generally, no doubt, joined in the chorus. This, then, is David's second subject of complaint, and one that he felt keenly - his enemies spoke evil of him. Farther, they desired and anticipated his death. When (they said) shall he die, and his name perish? David evidently was, or had been, when his enemies thus spoke, on the bed of sickness, prostrate, and in danger of his life. While he thus suffered, they rejoiced, expecting his early demise. When he was dead, they intended that his name should "perish;" i.e. that his memory should be utterly rooted out.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew My enemiesאוֹיְבַ֗י (’ō·wy·ḇay) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary say יֹאמְר֣וּ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say with malice: רַ֣ע (ra‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil “When מָתַ֥י (mā·ṯay) Interrogative Strong's 4970: Extent, when will he die יָ֝מ֗וּת (yā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill and be forgotten?” וְאָבַ֥ד (wə·’ā·ḇaḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish Links Psalm 41:5 NIVPsalm 41:5 NLT Psalm 41:5 ESV Psalm 41:5 NASB Psalm 41:5 KJV Psalm 41:5 BibleApps.com Psalm 41:5 Biblia Paralela Psalm 41:5 Chinese Bible Psalm 41:5 French Bible Psalm 41:5 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 41:5 My enemies speak evil against me: When (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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