Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, New Living Translation All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst. English Standard Version All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. Berean Standard Bible All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me: King James Bible All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. New King James Version All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. New American Standard Bible All who hate me whisper together against me; They plot my harm against me, saying, NASB 1995 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt, saying, NASB 1977 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt, saying, Legacy Standard Bible All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me, they devise for me calamity, saying, Amplified Bible All who hate me whisper together about me; Against me they devise my hurt [imagining the worst for me], saying, Christian Standard Bible All who hate me whisper together about me; they plan to harm me. Holman Christian Standard Bible All who hate me whisper together about me; they plan to harm me.” American Standard Version All that hate me whisper together against me; Against me do they devise my hurt. Contemporary English Version My enemies whisper about me. They think the worst, English Revised Version All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. GOD'S WORD® Translation Everyone who hates me whispers about me. They think evil things about me and say, Good News Translation All who hate me whisper to each other about me, they imagine the worst about me. International Standard Version As for all who hate me, they whisper together against me; they desire to do me harm. NET Bible All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another; they plan ways to harm me. New Heart English Bible All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me. Webster's Bible Translation All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAll who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me: World English Bible All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAll hating me whisper together against me, "" Against me they devise evil to me: Young's Literal Translation All hating me whisper together against me, Against me they devise evil to me: Smith's Literal Translation Together, all hating me, will whisper against me: against one they will purpose evil to me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAll my enemies whispered together against me : they devised evils to me. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible All those who hate me whisper together against me; they imagine the worst about me: New Revised Standard Version All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAll that hate me whisper together about me; they devise evil against me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated All who hated me whispered against me together and they have conceived evil against me. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917All that hate me whisper together against me, Against me do they devise my hurt: Brenton Septuagint Translation All my enemies whispered against me; against me they devised my hurt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Blessed is He who Cares for the Poor…6My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad. 7All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me: 8“A vile disease has been poured into him; he will never get up from where he lies!”… Cross References Matthew 26:59-61 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Mark 14:55-59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ... John 11:53-57 So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. / As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples. / Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. ... 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.’ Matthew 27:41-43 In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, / “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. / He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Luke 22:3-6 Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ... Acts 6:11-14 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ... Acts 23:12-15 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. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ... 2 Timothy 4:14-16 Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. / You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message. / At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. Psalm 55:12-14 For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God. Psalm 55:20-21 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. / His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed. Psalm 56:5-6 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. Psalm 31:13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life. Psalm 35:11-16 Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. / They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul. / Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. ... Psalm 38:12 Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long. Treasury of Scripture All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. whisper Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, against Psalm 31:13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. Psalm 56:5,6 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil… Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. my hurt [heb. Jump to Previous Designing Devise Downfall Enemies Evil Hate Haters Hating Hurt Imagine Secretly Talking Together Whisper WorstJump to Next Designing Devise Downfall Enemies Evil Hate Haters Hating Hurt Imagine Secretly Talking Together Whisper WorstPsalm 41 1. The recompense of the charitable4. David complains of his enemies' treachery 10. He flees to God for helpfulness All who hate me whisper against me; This phrase reflects the experience of betrayal and opposition faced by the psalmist, traditionally attributed to David. The act of whispering suggests secretive plotting and malice, often associated with slander and deceit. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, whispering was a common metaphor for conspiracies and hidden agendas. This mirrors the experiences of Jesus Christ, who faced similar secretive plots by the Pharisees and religious leaders (Matthew 26:3-4). The theme of betrayal is also seen in the life of David, particularly in the rebellion of Absalom and the treachery of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15-17). they imagine the worst for me: Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 41, David is expressing his feelings of betrayal and the malice of his enemies. 2. Enemies The individuals who harbor ill will against David, whispering and plotting against him. 3. Whispering This act signifies secretive plotting and malicious intent, often done in the shadows to avoid detection. 4. Imagining the Worst This phrase indicates the enemies' desire for David's downfall, reflecting their deep-seated animosity. 5. Betrayal An underlying theme in this verse, highlighting the pain of being betrayed by those who should be allies or friends. Teaching Points The Reality of BetrayalBetrayal is a painful reality that even the most faithful believers may experience. Understanding this can help us prepare our hearts and seek God's comfort. Guarding Against Malice As Christians, we must be vigilant against harboring malice or engaging in gossip, recognizing the destructive power of our words and intentions. Seeking God's Vindication In times of betrayal, we should turn to God for vindication and justice, trusting in His righteous judgment rather than seeking revenge ourselves. The Example of Christ Jesus' response to betrayal was one of forgiveness and love. We are called to follow His example, even when faced with those who wish us harm. Community and Accountability Building a strong, accountable Christian community can help prevent the isolation that often accompanies betrayal and whispering. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 41:7?2. How does Psalm 41:7 illustrate the impact of gossip on relationships? 3. What does Psalm 41:7 reveal about the nature of false friends? 4. How can we guard our hearts against betrayal as seen in Psalm 41:7? 5. Which other scriptures address dealing with slander and false accusations? 6. How should believers respond to betrayal, according to Psalm 41:7 and Jesus' teachings? 7. How does Psalm 41:7 reflect human nature's tendency towards betrayal and gossip? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 41:7? 9. How does Psalm 41:7 relate to the theme of suffering and divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 41? 11. In Job 7:12, why does Job reference the sea or a monstrous creature (possibly Leviathan)--and does this suggest any mythological element at odds with a strictly historical reading of Scripture? 12. Psalm 35:13-14 - How can David both mourn for his foes and call down curses on them without contradiction? 13. In Psalm 45:6, why is a human king seemingly addressed as 'God,' and how do we reconcile this with monotheistic beliefs? 14. Can God do more than we can imagine? What Does Psalm 41:7 Mean All who hate me• David speaks from the hard–earned awareness that not everyone in his circle is a friend. In Psalm 25:19 he notes, “See how many are my foes, and how fiercely they hate me.” That same dynamic appears here: opposition is real, personal, and numerous. • Scripture shows that godliness often attracts hostility (2 Timothy 3:12). The psalmist’s experience prefigures the Messiah’s, for Jesus said, “They hated Me without reason” (John 15:25, echoing Psalm 35:19). • The line also reminds believers that worldly hatred cannot cancel covenant love. God had already declared David “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), and no amount of animosity can overturn divine favor. whisper against me • “Whisper” paints a picture of secret slander, the kind of covert plotting David elsewhere calls “terror on every side” (Psalm 31:13). • This is the language of backroom conversations, rumors, and insinuations—tools consistently used against faithful servants. Nehemiah faced it (Nehemiah 6:5–9), and Stephen faced it when “they secretly persuaded men” to lie (Acts 6:11). • Whispering hints at cowardice; enemies lack the courage for open debate, so they scheme in the shadows. Yet Proverbs 26:20 assures that gossip dies without fuel, reminding us to stay clear of it. they imagine the worst for me • Here the hostility moves from words to intent. “Imagine” signals deliberate mental effort to plot harm, just as Micah 2:1 condemns those “who plan iniquity and plot evil on their beds.” • Enemies invent scenarios of David’s downfall, hoping for disaster. Similar mockery surrounded Christ on the cross: “He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now” (Matthew 27:43). • Psalm 35:4–8 describes the same pattern—nets, pits, ambushes—yet it also promises that those traps will catch the schemers themselves. God turns malicious imagination back on the imaginer. • For believers, this assures that even worst-case plots are under God’s control (Romans 8:31). He hears every whisper, sees every scheme, and vindicates His own. summary Psalm 41:7 unveils a three-step progression of hostility: widespread hatred, covert whispering, and malicious plotting. David’s words capture the universal experience of the righteous, culminating in Christ’s suffering. Opposition is real, but so is God’s oversight. He knows the haters, exposes the whispers, and overturns the worst imaginations, safeguarding those who trust Him. Verse 7. - All that hate me whisper together against me; i.e. gather themselves into knots, and hold whispered conversations about me - as conspirators are apt to do. Against me do they devise my hurt; literally, hurt to me.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Allכָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who hate שֹׂנְאָ֑י (śō·nə·’āy) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 8130: To hate me עָלַ֓י ׀ (‘ā·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against whisper יִ֭תְלַחֲשׁוּ (yiṯ·la·ḥă·šū) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3907: To whisper, to mumble a, spell against me; עָלַ֣י (‘ā·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against they imagine יַחְשְׁב֖וּ (yaḥ·šə·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2803: To think, account the worst רָעָ֣ה (rā·‘āh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil for me: לִֽי׃ (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew Links Psalm 41:7 NIVPsalm 41:7 NLT Psalm 41:7 ESV Psalm 41:7 NASB Psalm 41:7 KJV Psalm 41:7 BibleApps.com Psalm 41:7 Biblia Paralela Psalm 41:7 Chinese Bible Psalm 41:7 French Bible Psalm 41:7 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 41:7 All who hate me whisper together against (Psalm Ps Psa.) |