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

PSALMS 41:7KJV
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Psalms 41:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 41:7 mean?

Psalms 41:7 describes how those who dislike or oppose the psalmist secretly talk together about him and plot ways to harm him. The verse shows a sense of betrayal and the pain of knowing that others are working together behind the scenes to cause trouble.

In this psalm, David is speaking about his own experience of being surrounded by enemies who do not openly confront him but instead whisper and scheme together. The verse emphasizes the hidden nature of their hostility, highlighting how their plans are not just casual talk but intentional efforts to bring about his downfall.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 41:7

  • hate (שָׂנֵא, sane): This word means to have deep dislike or hostility. The verse points out that the people plotting against David are not neutral; their actions come from genuine animosity.
  • whisper (לָחַשׁ, lachash): This word suggests secretive, hushed speech. The use of "whisper" underlines the sneaky, underhanded way David’s enemies are behaving, rather than confronting him openly.
  • together (יַחַד, yachad): This word means "together" or "in unison." It shows that David’s enemies are united in their plotting, making their opposition more threatening.
  • devise (חָשַׁב, chashav): This means to plan or plot carefully. The verse highlights that the harm being planned is not accidental; it is the result of deliberate scheming.
  • hurt (רַע, ra): This word means "evil" or "harm." The enemies are not just gossiping—they are actively seeking to bring real trouble or suffering to David.

Why Psalms 41:7 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the opposition David faces is not just open criticism but involves secret plotting and a united effort to harm him, which deepens the sense of betrayal.
  • Understanding the original words shows that the hostility is intentional and coordinated, not just casual dislike or random gossip.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme of Psalms 41, where David expresses vulnerability and the pain of being betrayed by those around him, even as he seeks God’s help.

Where else these words appear

“whisper” Hebrew H3907 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
  • Psalms 58:5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

“devise” Hebrew H2803 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
  • Isaiah 2:22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

“hate” Hebrew H8130 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them,(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
  • Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
  • Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.