Psalm 41 7

Psalm 41:7 kjv

All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

Psalm 41:7 nkjv

All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt.

Psalm 41:7 niv

All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,

Psalm 41:7 esv

All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me.

Psalm 41:7 nlt

All who hate me whisper about me,
imagining the worst.

Psalm 41 verses

Psalm 41 7 Meaning

Psalm 41:7 describes the insidious nature of an individual who visits the suffering psalmist under the pretense of sympathy, but harbors deep-seated malice. Their words are deceitful, their heart secretly accumulates wicked thoughts and schemes, and upon leaving, they openly spread false and harmful information, amplifying the psalmist’s distress. This verse highlights the profound betrayal and calculated cruelty inflicted by a seemingly concerned acquaintance.

Psalm 41 7 Context

Psalm 41 is a personal lament, believed to be by King David, experiencing severe illness or affliction, coupled with betrayal from close associates. The psalm begins with a blessing for those who consider the poor and afflicted (Psa 41:1-3), setting a stark contrast to the unmerciful behavior described later. The psalmist confesses his own sin (Psa 41:4), yet laments that his enemies, even those who visit him, rejoice in his distress and hope for his death. Verse 7 specifically delves into the treachery of a supposedly sympathetic visitor, leading to the ultimate betrayal by one close to him (Psa 41:9), which famously foreshadows Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Christ. The verse encapsulates the psalmist's deep emotional and spiritual anguish caused by the hypocritical and malicious actions of others.

Psalm 41 7 Word analysis

• And if he comes to see me (וְאִם־בָּא לִרְאוֹת, ve’im-ba li’ro't):
  • "Comes to see" (li’ro't): From the root ra'ah (to see, perceive, observe). This suggests a visit, but implies an ulterior motive, perhaps "to scout out" or "to observe his condition" for malicious intent. It is a feigned visit of sympathy, concealing evil purposes.
• he speaks lies (שָׁוְא יְדַבֵּר, shav yedabber):
  • "Speaks" (yedabber): From dabar, to speak, utter, declare.
  • "Lies" (shav): Denotes emptiness, vanity, falsehood, deception, worthlessness. This is not a simple inaccuracy but implies deliberate deceit, empty promises, or words lacking truth and integrity. It is associated with idol worship and the breaking of God’s commandments.
  • Words-group significance: Their words are inherently false, empty of genuine care, and serve to mask their true wicked intentions.
• His heart gathers iniquity to itself (לִבּוֹ יִקְבָּץ־אָוֶן לוֹ, libbo yiqbotz-awen lo):
  • "His heart" (libbo): In Hebrew thought, the heart refers to the inner core of a person – the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character.
  • "Gathers" (yiqbotz): From qabats, meaning to collect, assemble, gather. This highlights a deliberate, calculated accumulation rather than an impulsive action. The malice is nurtured internally.
  • "Iniquity" (awen): Signifies wickedness, trouble, sorrow, evil, unrighteousness, perversity. It implies mischievousness and intentional wrong.
  • Words-group significance: This is the crux of the verse. The visitor does not just act wickedly but meticulously collects or harbors evil intent within their deepest being. This shows a premeditated malice, a deliberate plotting against the psalmist. Their thoughts are fixed on devising harm.
• When he goes out, he tells it (יֵצֵא לַחוּץ יְדַבֵּר, yetze lachutz yedabber):
  • "Goes out" (yetze): Simply refers to departing from the psalmist's presence.
  • "He tells it" (yedabber): As above, to speak, but now indicating the vocalization and public dissemination of what was "gathered" internally. The "it" refers to the "iniquity," meaning they relay malicious reports, gossip, or lies.
  • Words-group significance: The immediate public disclosure of the privately conceived malice. As soon as the mask of sympathy is off, the gathered wickedness is unleashed through slander or malicious reporting to others, aiming to damage the psalmist's reputation or condition.

Psalm 41 7 Bonus section

The concept of the heart "gathering iniquity" illustrates a profound spiritual truth: evil often begins as a cherished thought or planned wickedness before erupting into action. This process of inward contemplation of evil resonates with various New Testament warnings about the heart being the source of unrighteousness (Matt 15:18-19; Mark 7:21-23). The passage subtly highlights the psalmist's vulnerability due to his illness, which his enemies exploit. This specific form of betrayal, visiting to "scout out" weakness, suggests an intimate enemy, perhaps an advisor or familiar companion, making the treachery even more poignant and personally devastating for the one suffering. The vivid imagery used underscores the depth of spiritual depravity where one would intentionally cause more harm to the already afflicted.

Psalm 41 7 Commentary

Psalm 41:7 exposes the treacherous nature of hypocritical adversaries who feign concern for the suffering. Their visits, appearing sympathetic, are actually reconnaissance missions. The evil is not spontaneous but deeply rooted in their "heart," which "gathers iniquity," implying a deliberate and persistent cultivation of malicious intent and schemes. This inner corruption manifests immediately upon departure; the outwardly sympathetic facade drops, and they disseminate their collected evil in the form of lies, slander, or malicious reports. The verse paints a chilling picture of calculated betrayal, where an individual capitalizes on another's vulnerability for nefarious purposes, amplifying distress through deceit and gossip. It reminds believers to be discerning about intentions hidden behind outward appearances.