The Meaning of Psalms 41:8 Explained

Psalms 41:8

KJV: An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

YLT: A thing of Belial is poured out on him, And because he lay down he riseth not again.

Darby: A thing of Belial cleaveth fast unto him; and now that he is laid down, he will rise up no more.

ASV: An evil disease,'say they , cleaveth fast unto him; And now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

An evil  disease,  [say they], cleaveth fast  unto him: and [now] that he lieth  he shall rise up  no more. 

What does Psalms 41:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 41:1-13 - "lord, Heal My Soul"
This psalm was probably composed, with the adjacent ones, during the four years in which Absalom's conspiracy was being hatched. Perhaps the anxiety thus caused induced some serious illness, over which David's enemies exulted with unseemly glee. His sensitive nature was evidently greatly pained. But who does not realize the applicability of the psalm to the betrayal of our Lord? Psalms 41:9 is quoted in John 13:18.
In the day of trouble, when enemies oppose, Psalms 41:5-8, and friends prove false, Psalms 41:9, God draws near. Look after God's poor and He will care for you in the evil day. The blessings that you have endeavored to communicate will return to your own comfort in the hour of tribulation. God will make (or change) your bed in sickness, Psalms 41:3; will heal your soul, Psalms 41:4; and will set you before His face forever, Psalms 41:12. What a sweet conception of God as nurse in the room where feet must be shod with velvet and voices speak in gentlest tones!
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 41

1  The recompense of the charitable
4  David complains of his enemies' treachery
10  He flees to God for helpfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 41:8 mean?

An disease evil [they say] clings to him and [now] that he lies down no he will more rise up
דְּֽבַר־ בְּ֭לִיַּעַל יָצ֣וּק בּ֑וֹ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁ֝כַ֗ב לֹא־ יוֹסִ֥יף לָקֽוּם

דְּֽבַר־  An  disease 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
בְּ֭לִיַּעַל  evil 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בְּלִיַּעַל  
Sense: worthlessness.
יָצ֣וּק  [they  say]  clings 
Parse: Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: יָצַק  
Sense: to pour, flow, cast, pour out.
בּ֑וֹ  to  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר  and  [now]  that 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
שָׁ֝כַ֗ב  he  lies  down 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁכַב  
Sense: to lie down.
לֹא־  no 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יוֹסִ֥יף  he  will  more 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָסַף 
Sense: to add, increase, do again.
לָקֽוּם  rise  up 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.