INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 41 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID. In this psalm is a prophecy concerning Christ, and concerning Judas Iscariot, as runs part of the title in the Syriac version; and in the Arabic version it is called a prophecy concerning the incarnation, and the salutation of Judas;... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED [IS] HE THAT CONSIDERETH THE POOR,.... Not the poor of the world in common, nor poor saints in particular, but some single poor man; for the word is in the singular number, and designs our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in Psalms 40:17, is said to be "poor and needy": and so read the Septuagint, Vu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL PRESERVE HIM AND KEEP HIM ALIVE,.... Amidst a thousand deaths, to which he is exposed for making a profession of his faith in Christ; see 2 Corinthians 1:10; or this may refer to his spiritual life, which is hid and preserved in Christ, in whom he believes; and is safe and secure; beca... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL STRENGTHEN HIM UPON THE BED OF LANGUISHING,.... When on a sick bed, or a death bed, where he lies languishing, and ready to expire; when his natural strength, spirits, and heart fail him, then the Lord strengthens him with strength in his soul; and is the strength of his heart, and his... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAID, LORD, BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME,.... Psalms 40:11; HEAL MY SOUL; not that it was diseased with sin in such sense as the souls of other men are; but it is to be understood as a petition for comfort while bearing the sins of others, and which Christ as man stood in need of when in the garden and o... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE ENEMIES SPEAK EVIL OF ME,.... That is, the Jews, who were enemies to his person, people, doctrines and ordinances, and would not have him to reign over them; these spake evil of him, charged him with being a glutton and a winebibber; said he had a devil, and was a Samaritan; imputed his miracle... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF HE COME TO SEE [ME],.... Meaning anyone of his enemies, when they came, as pretended, to pay him a friendly visit. A late learned writer x interprets this of Absalom, who visited his father when he had the smallpox, which he thinks, after mentioned, of which his enemies expected he would die,... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THAT HATE ME WHISPER TOGETHER AGAINST ME,.... That is, they privately conspired against him; see Matthew 22:15; AGAINST ME DO THEY DEVISE MY HURT; not only to take away his name and credit, but his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EVIL DISEASE, [SAY THEY], CLEAVETH FAST UNTO HIM,.... Not any bodily one, of which they might hope he would die; much less any foul disease, the disease of sin; but, as the phrase may be rendered, "a word of Belial" y; that is, a wicked charge or accusation; a charge of sin brought against him by... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, MINE OWN FAMILIAR FRIEND,.... Or, "the man of my peace" z; who did live peaceably with him, and ought always to have done so; whom he treated as his friend, as the rest of the apostles; calling him to that high office, and ordaining him to it, and qualifying him for it; and whom he called by th... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, O LORD, BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, AND RAISE ME UP,.... Not from a bed of illness, nor from a state of poverty and want; but from the dead: it was by the will of his divine Father that he suffered death, and it was to him he made satisfaction and reconciliation for the sins of his people, by his... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THIS I KNOW THAT THOU FAVOUREST ME,.... Or "delightest in me" z; as he did, both as his Son and his servant; in his obedience, sufferings, and death, whereby his counsels were accomplished, his covenant ratified, and the salvation of his people procured; and which delight and well pleasedness in... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS FOR ME, THOU UPHOLDEST ME IN MINE INTEGRITY,.... In the innocence of his nature, being free from sin, original and actual; in the uprightness of his life and conversation before God and men; and in the perfection of his obedience and sacrifice, whereby he brought in a perfect righteousness, m... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED [BE] THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL,.... Which is said, either by the Messiah, on account of the delight his Father had in him; the favour he had shown him in raising him from the dead, maintaining his innocence, and exalting him at his own right hand; and for all the blessings of grace the whole Is... [ Continue Reading ]