And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
And when he comes to visit me, he speaks empty, meaningless words. In his heart, he collects evil thoughts against me, and when he leaves, he spreads gossip about me.
The writer is describing how fake friends visit with hollow words while secretly gathering ammunition to gossip and spread lies about him later.
📚 Historical Context
The Book of Psalms is a collection of ancient Hebrew songs and poems, many attributed to King David, who wrote them during times of personal crisis and worship. In Psalm 41, David expresses his anguish over betrayal and illness, describing how his enemies feign concern during visits but harbor ill intent in their hearts. This reflects the broader cultural context of ancient Israel, where political intrigue and false loyalty were common in royal courts.
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