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Shared Word Translation

Psalm 41

The LORD Sustains the Weak

Blessed is the one who pays attention to the weak;
in the day of trouble
the LORD will deliver them. The LORD will guard them
and preserve their life;
they will be called blessed in the land.
You will not give them over
to the desire of their enemies. The LORD sustains them
on the bed of illness;
you turn their whole bed
in their sickness.

Be Gracious to Me

As for me, I said,
“O LORD, be gracious to me;
heal my soul,
for I have sinned against you.” My enemies speak evil against me:
“When will he die
and his name perish?” If someone comes to see me,
they speak emptiness;
their heart gathers trouble.
When they go outside,
they tell it.

Even My Close Friend

All who hate me
whisper together against me;
against me they devise harm: “A deadly thing
has been poured upon him;
now that he lies down,
he will not rise again.” Even my close friend,
in whom I trusted,
the one who ate my bread,
has lifted the heel against me.

Raise Me Up

But you, O LORD,
be gracious to me and raise me up,
so that I may repay them. By this I know
that you delight in me:
my enemy does not shout
in triumph over me. As for me,
you uphold me in my integrity;
you set me before your face forever.

Blessing to the LORD

Blessed be the LORD,
the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

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Notes

Translation notes for Psalm 41.

v01

“pays attention to the weak” — The Hebrew expression can carry the sense of considering, acting wisely toward, or giving careful attention to one who is weak or poor. The translation preserves both attentiveness and vulnerability without narrowing the term to economic poverty alone.

v03

“you turn their whole bed” — The Hebrew expression is unusual. It may suggest tending, transforming, or restoring the sickbed. The concrete image is retained rather than replaced with an explanation.

v06

“their heart gathers trouble” — The visitor outwardly speaks emptiness while inwardly collecting what can later be used against the psalmist.

v08

“A deadly thing has been poured upon him” — The Hebrew expression is difficult and literally involves a destructive or worthless “thing” being poured or fixed upon the sufferer. The enemies interpret the illness as final.

v09

“has lifted the heel against me” — The image describes betrayal by someone who shared peace, trust, and bread with the psalmist. The physical metaphor is retained.

v10

“so that I may repay them” — The request for restoration includes the expectation of answering the enemies. The translation does not soften the psalmist’s desire for recompense.

v12

“before your face” — Divine presence is expressed through the concrete image of God’s face rather than being reduced to a more abstract expression.

v13

The closing blessing functions as the doxology concluding the first major collection of the Psalter.

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Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Psalm 41.

v01

דַּל (dal)

“Weak,” “poor,” or “lowly.” Someone diminished in strength, resources, or standing.

v01

מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil)

“One who acts wisely” or “one who pays attention.” The verbal form here describes thoughtful attention directed toward the weak.

v04

חָנַן (chanan)

“To be gracious” or “show favor.” An appeal for freely given mercy.

v09

עָקֵב (aqev)

“Heel.” Used in the expression “lift the heel,” a vivid image of hostility or betrayal.

v12

תֹּם (tom)

“Integrity,” “wholeness,” or “completeness.” A condition of undivided or blameless faithfulness.

v13

עוֹלָם (olam)

“Everlasting,” “age,” or “long duration.” In the doubled expression, it extends praise beyond any visible horizon.and his name perish?”