Psalms 41:7

The scene outside the house is graphically depicted. We see the associates waiting, eager for news. With a transparent pretence of secrecy they whisper together, and divert themselves with anticipating the worst.

do they devise my hurt Or, imagine evil for me, indulging in uncharitable speculations as to the cause of his illness (cp. Job 22:5 ff.), and hoping for a fatal issue of it. The next verse is a summary of their malevolent conversation.