Psalms 41:11-12

41:11 By this ¹  I know that you are pleased with me,

for my enemy does ²  not triumph ³  over me.

41:12 As for me, you uphold ⁴  me because of my integrity; ⁵ 

you allow ⁶  me permanent access to your presence. ⁷ 

[41:11]  ¹ sn By this. Having recalled his former lament and petition, the psalmist returns to the confident mood of vv. 1-3. The basis for his confidence may be a divine oracle of deliverance, assuring him that God would intervene and vindicate him. The demonstrative pronoun “this” may refer to such an oracle, which is assumed here, though its contents are not included. See P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50 (WBC), 319, 321.

[41:11]  ² tn Or “will.” One may translate the imperfect verbal form as descriptive (present, cf. NIV) or as anticipatory (future, cf. NEB).

[41:11]  ³ tn Heb “shout.”

[41:12]  ⁴ tn Or “have upheld.” The perfect verbal form can be taken as generalizing/descriptive (present) or as a present perfect.

[41:12]  ⁵ sn Because of my integrity. See Pss 7:8; 25:21; 26:1, 11.

[41:12]  ⁶ tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) consecutive has the same aspectual function as the preceding perfect. It is either generalizing/descriptive (present) or has a present perfect nuance (“you have allowed”).

[41:12]  ⁷ tn Heb “and you cause me to stand before you permanently.”