Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 41:3

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Psalms 41:3

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Psalms 41:3

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"Jehovah will support him upon the couch of languishing: Thou makest all his bed in his sickness." — Psalms 41:3 (ASV)

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.”