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Psalm 41:8

“An evil disease”, they say, “has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more.”

6If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.
7All who hate me whisper together against me. They imagine the worst for me.
8“An evil disease”, they say, “has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more.”
9Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.
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← Psalm 41:7Psalm 41:9 →
Notice

The enemies’ prediction that he will never rise adds the weight of hostile words to the suffering of a man already laid low.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

Which words in the enemies’ speech make the sufferer’s isolation most vivid to you?

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What would you want a trusted friend to say if others spoke this way about your illness?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

9 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Luke 13:16Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”Both passages concern someone afflicted; Luke names Satan’s bondage, while the psalm reports enemies declaring that the sufferer will never rise.
Matthew 27:41–46Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,Both passages record hostile speech: the psalm’s enemies predict the sufferer’s death, and Matthew describes religious leaders mocking.
Psalm 71:11saying, “God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.”In both psalms, enemies speak as though the sufferer’s fate is settled and rescue is beyond reach.
Psalm 35:15But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it. They tore at …Both passages describe hostility toward someone already suffering, with enemies speaking against him or rejoicing in his adversity.
Psalm 38:7For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.Bodily affliction links these verses, though Psalm 38 describes pain firsthand and Psalm 41 records what enemies say about it.
Matthew 27:63–64saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’Both mention rising in hostile speech: the psalm’s enemies deny it, while Matthew’s speakers recall Jesus’ claim that he would rise.
Job 2:7–8So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to his head.Both texts concern bodily affliction; Job names Satan as the attacker, while the psalm records enemies speaking about the sufferer’s condition.
Psalm 3:2Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.Both psalms report people declaring a sufferer beyond help, whether through death or the claim that God will give no aid.
Lamentations 2:16All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, “We have swallowed her up. Certainly this is the day that …Both passages expose enemies’ hostile speech, with the psalm predicting death and Lamentations recording boasts of victory.
Where this verse fits

Illness or diagnosis. loneliness. fear for the future.

What the Bible says about loneliness →What the Bible says about fear →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Ask an ill friend what support would help

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Encouragement

His enemies speak as though his future is settled. Yet his prayer still turns to YHWH for mercy; their certainty carries no authority over God.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 41:8. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 41 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).