Psalm 41 6

Psalm 41:6 kjv

And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

Psalm 41:6 nkjv

And if he comes to see me, he speaks lies; His heart gathers iniquity to itself; When he goes out, he tells it.

Psalm 41:6 niv

When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.

Psalm 41:6 esv

And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

Psalm 41:6 nlt

They visit me as if they were my friends,
but all the while they gather gossip,
and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.

Psalm 41 verses

Psalm 41 6 Meaning

Psalm 41:6 describes the insidious nature of deceitful enemies visiting someone in affliction. They come under the pretense of concern, speaking outwardly kind or false words, but their heart is actively accumulating wicked intentions and malicious plans. As soon as they depart, they spread these evil fabrications or interpretations of the situation, publicizing their ill will and false reports to others. The verse vividly portrays profound hypocrisy and malicious intent.

Psalm 41 6 Context

Psalm 41 is a lament, deeply personal in tone, likely written by David during a period of severe illness and betrayal. The psalm opens with a blessing for those who consider the poor and afflicted (v. 1-3), implicitly contrasting God's compassion with human treachery. The psalmist then cries out to the Lord for healing (v. 4), acknowledging his own sinfulness (v. 4b) as part of his appeal. The core of the psalm's lament, from verse 5 onwards, details the suffering inflicted by his enemies and even a trusted friend. Verse 6 specifically focuses on the cunning and malicious tactics of these adversaries: they visit him during his weakened state, ostensibly to inquire about his well-being, but with a sinister underlying motive. This interaction highlights the isolation and vulnerability experienced by someone who is ill and under attack. Historically, this psalm is often linked to David's suffering during the Absalom rebellion or other times of physical affliction and social alienation.

Psalm 41 6 Word analysis

• And if he comes to see me: The Hebrew is וְאִם-בָּא לִרְאוֹת, ve’im-ba lir'ot (or לִרְאוֹתִי, lir'oti in some texts, meaning "to see me"). "To see" here is not just about observing but often carries the sense of "to visit," especially for someone in need or distress. The "if he comes" suggests it's not a regular visit but an opportune moment to exploit vulnerability. This visitation is a superficial act, a performative display of concern, masking genuine ill will. It is a cynical appropriation of an act of kindness.
• he speaks lies: The Hebrew phrase is יְדַבֵּר שָׁוְא, yedabber shav. Shav (שָׁוְא) signifies emptiness, vanity, falsehood, or deceit. It is often used for idols (things that are "vain") or false oaths. Here, it refers to empty, worthless words that are not genuine or truthful. These are words calculated to deceive, often flattering or feigned sympathetic remarks that belie their true intentions. This points to a conscious effort to mislead through verbal dishonesty.
• his heart gathers iniquity to itself: The Hebrew is לִבּוֹ יִקְבֹּץ אָוֶן לוֹ, libbo yiqbotz awen lo.
  • his heart: libbo (לִבּוֹ) refers to the innermost being, the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character in Hebrew thought. This emphasizes that the deception originates from their very core, not merely as an accidental slip of the tongue.
  • gathers: yiqbotz (יִקְבֹּץ) means to collect, gather, or assemble. It implies a deliberate, active process. The wickedness is not impulsive but thoughtfully amassed, hinting at premeditated malice or plans.
  • iniquity: awen (אָוֶן) denotes wickedness, evil, mischief, or trouble. It can refer to active harm or moral perversity. Here, it points to the malevolent intent and wicked schemes they are mentally compiling during the visit. The preposition "to itself" (lo) indicates that this gathering of evil is self-serving or for their own wicked purposes, reflecting self-centered malice.
• when he goes out, he tells it: The Hebrew is יֵצֵא בַחוּץ יְדַבֵּר, yetze vachutz yedabber.
  • goes out: yetze (יֵצֵא) signifies departure. The moment they leave the afflicted person's presence.
  • tells it: yedabber (יְדַבֵּר) is "he speaks" or "he proclaims." The word choice implies spreading information or speaking about a matter, often publicly. The preceding verb "goes out" emphasizes that the true, wicked intentions, gathered during the "visit," are then immediately released or revealed outside, probably in the public square or among circles where it can do the most harm, reinforcing the two-faced nature of the individual.

Words-group analysis:The verse illustrates a chilling three-part progression of malice:

1. Outward Pretense ("if he comes to see me, he speaks lies"): A show of false concern and deceptive words upon entering the presence of the vulnerable. This is the veneer of civility.
2. Inward Malice ("his heart gathers iniquity to itself"): Beneath the facade, the heart is actively devising evil, collecting scandalous material or formulating plans to exploit the situation. This highlights the deep corruption and calculated nature of their wickedness.
3. Outward Proclamation ("when he goes out, he tells it"): The moment they are free from the afflicted person's presence, the gathered iniquity is publicly articulated, often as slander or malicious gossip, fulfilling their treacherous agenda. This completes the cycle of hypocrisy and destruction.

Psalm 41 6 Bonus section

The experience depicted in Psalm 41:6 finds its ultimate echo in the life of Jesus Christ, particularly in the betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Just as the psalmist, often identified with David, experienced a close acquaintance turning against him in his weakness, Jesus, the Greater David, experienced the betrayal of one who shared meals with Him (John 13:18). Judas's outward companionship masked an inward heart "gathering iniquity" (John 12:4-6, Matt 26:14-16) that culminated in his public act of telling the authorities where to find Jesus. This fulfillment deepens the understanding of the psalmist's suffering and connects it to the redemptive narrative of the Gospel, showing the ultimate triumph of good over such calculated evil.

Psalm 41 6 Commentary

Psalm 41:6 paints a stark picture of duplicity that pierces through a moment of vulnerability. It describes not just passive deceit, but active, malevolent cunning. The "visit" itself is a calculated move, not an act of genuine compassion. The words spoken are empty flattery, mere pleasantries, carefully crafted to extract information or confirm perceived weaknesses, without any trace of sincerity. Crucially, the verse reveals the hidden work of the "heart"—the core of one's being. The gathering of "iniquity" indicates a deliberate accumulation of hostile thoughts, wicked designs, or scandalous interpretations, showing a premeditated plot against the afflicted. This internal evil is then swiftly externalized. As soon as the hypocrite leaves, they cease their pretense, promptly spreading their false narratives and malicious intentions into the public sphere. This demonstrates the swift progression from internal thought to external slander, confirming the true nature of their visit was for reconnaissance for malicious purposes. The verse is a powerful expose of calculated betrayal, where a vulnerable person is victimized by those feigning care. It serves as a somber reminder that true friendship is revealed not in moments of prosperity, but in genuine, uncalculating presence during suffering.