My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
Mine
Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people…
Psalm 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.
his name
Job 18:17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.
Job 20:7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
“When will he die and be forgotten?”
This question reveals the depth of the enemies' hostility, wishing not only for the psalmist's death but also for his complete erasure from memory. In ancient Near Eastern culture, memory and legacy were crucial, as they were tied to one's honor and lineage. The desire for someone to be forgotten was akin to wishing for their total obliteration. This sentiment echoes the ultimate defeat of evil, as seen in the prophetic books where the wicked are often portrayed as being cut off and forgotten. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who also faced enemies wishing for His death, yet His resurrection ensured His eternal remembrance and victory over sin and death.
David openly acknowledges that he has real, vocal adversaries. Their words are not imagined; they are spoken aloud. Psalm 71:10 echoes the scene: “For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire together”. The opposition is personal, persistent, and public—reminding us that faithfulness often attracts hostility (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18).
The intent behind the speech is evil.
• Malice means they wish harm, not merely express disagreement (Psalm 38:12).
• Proverbs 26:24 warns, “A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit within”.
• The believer should anticipate such heart–level corruption in others while refusing to answer in kind (Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:1).
Their question reveals a desire for David’s physical end.
• Saul’s jealous pursuit in 1 Samuel 19 shows how envy morphs into murderous intent.
• John 11:53 records the same evil impulse toward Jesus, “So from that day on they plotted to kill Him”.
• These enemies do not merely oppose policies or decisions; they crave the psalmist’s death, highlighting the severity of spiritual warfare.
They want David’s memory erased, his influence silenced.
• Job 18:17 laments of the wicked, “The memory of him perishes from the earth”.
• Psalm 109:15 applies a similar curse to evildoers.
• Yet God promises covenant remembrance (Isaiah 49:15-16; Luke 23:42-43), proving that the righteous are never lost in God’s sight even when people long to blot them out.
Psalm 41:5 unveils hostile hearts determined to see God’s servant dead and erased from memory. Their speech is public, malicious, and death-focused, contrasting sharply with the Lord’s faithful remembrance of His people. While enemies plot oblivion, God secures lasting significance for those who trust Him.
(5) Shall he die . . . perish.--Better, When will he die, and his name have perished.Verse 5. - Mine enemies speak evil of me. Another head of suffering, viz. misrepresentation, calumny, abuse, on the part of enemies. Absalom had stolen away the hearts of the children of Israel from David by misrepresenting him (2 Samuel 15:3, 4). Shimei had followed the example, adding to his misrepresentation abuse and cursing (2 Samuel 16:5-8). Absalom's aiders and abettors generally, no doubt, joined in the chorus. This, then, is David's second subject of complaint, and one that he felt keenly - his enemies spoke evil of him. Farther, they desired and anticipated his death. When (they said) shall he die, and his name perish? David evidently was, or had been, when his enemies thus spoke, on the bed of sickness, prostrate, and in danger of his life. While he thus suffered, they rejoiced, expecting his early demise. When he was dead, they intended that his name should "perish;" i.e. that his memory should be utterly rooted out.