Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 41

Blessed is he. —This general statement of the great law of sympathy and benevolence—fine and noble however we take it—may be explained in different ways, depending on how we take the Hebrew word dal as poor, with the Septuagint and Vulgate , or with the margin, as sick, weak in body , or give it an ethical sense, sick at heart (Compare 2 Samuel 13:4). The context favors one of the two latter, and the choice between them depends on whether we take the author’s sickness to be real or figurative.Psalms 41:3 strongly favors the view that the sickness is physical.

Considereth. —The Hebrew word implies wise as well as kindly consideration. So the Septuagint and Vulgate, “he that understands.”

And he shall be blessed. —Not as in the margin of Isaiah 9:16, and in Symmachus “called happy,” but with deeper meaning, as in Proverbs 3:18. Another derivation is possible, giving the meaning, “he shall be led aright,” i.e., he will have right moral guidance. The context, however, does not favour this.

Upon the earth. —Rather, in the land, i.e., of Canaan.

Will strengthen. —Literally, will prop him up, support him.

Wilt make. —Literally, has turned. Some think this is a literal allusion to the fact that the Oriental bed was merely a mat, which could be turned while the sick man was propped up. But such literalness is not necessary. To turn here is to change, as in Psalm 66:6; Psalms 105:29, and what the poet says is that, as in past times, Divine help has come to change his sickness into health, so he confidently expects it will be now, “in his sickness” being equivalent to “in the time of his sickness.”

I said. —After the general statement, the poet applies it to his own case, which showed such sadly different conduct on the part of friends from whom more than sympathy might have been expected. The pronoun is emphatic: In my case, I said, etc.

But it is a singular mark of the psalmist’s sincerity and genuineness that he first looks into his own heart for its evil before exposing that of his friends.

Shall he die ... perish. —Better, When will he die, and his name have perished.