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1
The Attack Was Slander
Multiple commentators (Barnes, Ellicott, Calvin, Gill) explain that the phrase 'An evil disease' is more accurately translated from Hebrew as 'a word of Belial' or 'a wicked accusation.' The primary attack against the psalmist was slander. His enemies interpreted his illness as divine punishment for a terrible sin, using it to destroy his reputation.
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Psalms
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Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Psalms 41:8
18th Century
Theologian
An evil disease - Margin, “a thing of Belial.” The Hebrew is literally “a word of Belial.” This has been very variously understood and inter…
Charles Ellicott
On Psalms 41:8
19th Century
Bishop
An evil disease. —In the margin: thing of Belial. (For “Belial,” see Deuteronomy 13:13.) The expression may mean, as in t…
Charles Spurgeon
On Psalm 41:7–9
19th Century
Preacher
Many a child of God has had his character whispered down by slanderers; many a man has had a hard time because of the evil speaking of men of the w…
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John Calvin
On Psalms 41:8
16th Century
Theologian
An evil deed of Belial cleaved fast to him. From this verse it appears that they had conspired in this way for his destruction, because th…
John Gill
On Psalms 41:8
17th Century
Pastor
An evil disease, [say they], cleaves fast to him
Not any bodily one, of which they might hope he would die; much les…
Matthew Henry
On Psalms 41:5–13
17th Century
Minister
We complain, and justly, of the lack of sincerity, and that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were n…