Psalms 41:11
in Psalms 41By this I know that You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
By this I know that thou delightest in me, Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
KJV
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
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This verse in Psalms 41
Commentary
12 notes on this verseYou notice that he hints more clearly at the repayment here in his mentioning, not vengeance by the wronged but personal disappointment by the frustrated, which resulted in their punishing themselves on seeing the one they envied held in high esteem. His meaning here is, …
This site's exposition
that I may repay them
on Psalms 41:10-12
The request is healing and redress together, that I may repay them. Verse 11 gives the sign of favour, an enemy who does not triumph, and verse 12 sets the man upright in God's presence forever. Henry reads that integrity as an answer to the charge brought.
This site's exposition
my enemy does not triumph
The sign of favour is modest. Barnes notes the word for triumph means a shout of victory, and the enemy raises none over his bed. Spurgeon said one with no triumph over his enemies may still delight that they have none over him.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"By this I know that Thou favourest Me, that Mine enemies shall not triumph over Me." Because the Jews did triumph, when they saw Christ crucified; they thought that they had fulfilled their will to do Him hurt: the fruits of their cruelty they saw in effect, Christ hanging on the Cross: they shook their heads, saying, "If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross." He came not down, who could; His Potency He showed not, but patience taught. For if, on their saying these things, He had come down from the Cross, He would have seemed as it were to yield to them insulting, and not being able to endure reproach, would have been believed conquered: more firm remained He upon the Cross, than they insulting; fixed was He, they wavering. For therefore shook they their heads, because to the true Head they adhered not. He taught us plainly patience. For mightier is that which He did, who would not do what the Jews challenged. For much mightier is it to rise from the sepulchre, than to come down from the Cross. "That Mine enemies shall not triumph over Me." They triumphed then at that time. Christ rose again, Christ was glorified. Now see they in His Name the human race converted: now let them insult, now shake the head: rather now let them fix the head, or if they shake the head, in wonder and admiration let them shake...
All this was said on the part of the nature assumed, which was involved also in the passion.… Since, then, the assumed nature remained free of all wickedness, it was right for him to say, "But you supported me for my innocence and confirmed me …
The Medieval Church1 voice
"In this I know." Here he sets forth his confidence of being heard. And first he sets forth that God willed him, that is, it was pleasing to the Father's will in him. Hence he says, "that you have willed me." Mt. 3: "This is …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
By this I know that thou favourest me,....
(2.) The best man in the world holds his integrity no longer then God upholds him in it; for by his grace we are what we are; if we be left to ourselves, we shall not only fall, but fall away. (3.) It is a great comfort to us that, however weak we are, God is able to uphold us in our integrity, and will do it if we commit the keeping of it to him.
4 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
We are all cheered by tokens for good, and the psalmist felt it to be an auspicious omen, that after all his deep depression he was not utterly given over to his foe. By this I know that thou favourest me. Thou hast a special regard to me, I have the secret assurance of this in my heart, and, therefore, thine outward dealings do not dismay me, for I know that thou lovest me in them all. Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
We are all cheered by tokens for good, and the psalmist felt it to be an auspicious omen, that after all his deep depression he was not utterly given over to his foe. By this I know that thou favourest me. Thou hast a special regard to me, I have the secret assurance of this in my heart, and, therefore, thine outward dealings do not dismay me, for I know that thou lovest me in them all. Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. What if the believer has no triumph over his foes, he must be glad that they do not triumph over him. If we have not all we would we should praise God for all we have. Much there is in us over which the ungodly might exult, and if God's mercy keeps the dog's mouths closed when they might be opened, we must give him our heartiest gratitude. What a wonder it is that when the devil enters the lists with a poor, erring, bedridden, deserted, slandered saint, and has a thousand evil tongues to aid him, yet he cannot win the day, but in the end slinks off without renown.
By this I know that thou favorest me - If thou hadst not been on my side, I had perished by this disease; and then my enemies would have had cause to triumph. This also has been applied to our Lord; and Calmet says it is the greatest proof we have of the divinity of Christ, that he did not permit the malice of the Jews, nor the rage of the devil, to prevail against him. They might persecute, blaspheme, mock, insult, crucify, and slay him; but his resurrection confounded them; and by it he gained the victory over sin, death, and hell.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
By this I know - Compare the notes at Psa 20:6. This indicates a confident assurance that his prayer would be answered, and that he would be restored to health. How he had this assurance we are not informed, but it seems most probable that it was by an intimation conveyed to his mind by God himself. Compare, for a similar case, Php 1:25. See the notes at that passage. That thou favorest me - That thou dost delight in me; that thou art my friend. Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me - The word here rendered triumph properly means to shout, or to make a noise. As a sign of exultation, more especially in war: 1Sa 17:20. Here it means that his enemy would not secure a victory over him; or would not shout as if such a victory were obtained. That is, he felt assured now that all the machinations of his goes would be defeated; that all the hopes which they cherished that he was soon to die would be disappointed; that he himself would be recovered from Iris sickness, contrary to their malicious anticipations and desires. This he regarded as an evidence that God was his friend.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
On the verses either side of this one
With this I shall know, etc. When You are gracious to me and raise me up, I shall know that You have desired me; when my enemy will not shout with shouts of joy over me, and I will see that because of my innocence, You have supported me.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 6 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
10 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| בְּזֹ֣את | bezot | by this | H2063 → | 603 times |
| יָ֭דַעְתִּי | yada'ti | I know | H3045 → | 945 times |
| כִּֽי־ | ki- | that | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| חָפַ֣צְתָּ | chafatzta | you delight | H2654 → | 74 times |
| בִּ֑י | bi | in me | ||
| כִּ֤י | ki | that | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| לֹֽא־ | lo'- | not | H3808 → | 5168 times |
| יָרִ֖יעַ | yaria' | he shouts in triumph | H7321 → | 44 times |
| אֹיְבִ֣י | ʾoyevi | enemy my | H341 → | 282 times |
| עָלָֽי׃ | ʾalai | over me | H5921 → | 5755 times |
בְּזֹ֣אתby this
bezotH2063 →603 times
יָ֭דַעְתִּיI know
yada'tiH3045 →945 times
כִּֽי־that
ki-H3588 →4482 times
חָפַ֣צְתָּyou delight
chafatztaH2654 →74 times
בִּ֑יin me
bi
כִּ֤יthat
kiH3588 →4482 times
לֹֽא־not
lo'-H3808 →5168 times
יָרִ֖יעַhe shouts in triumph
yaria'H7321 →44 times
אֹיְבִ֣יenemy my
ʾoyeviH341 →282 times
עָלָֽי׃over me
ʾalaiH5921 →5755 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Colossians 2:15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
it leads to
- Hebrews 2:14
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
- Ephesians 4:8
This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”
- Matthew 12:29
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
- John 12:31–32
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.
- Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the…
- Hebrews 2:14
Through
Psalms 147:11The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
it leads to
- Psalms 33:18
Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion
- Malachi 3:16–17
At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD…
- Psalms 33:18
Through
Psalms 25:2in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
it leads to
- Romans 10:11
It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
- Romans 10:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Psalms
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Psalms; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 41; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2; Diodorus of Tarsus, COMMENTARY ON PSALM 41; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theodoret of Cyrus, COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 41:7 and Thomas Aquinas, Exposition on the Psalms of David.