The Meaning of Psalms 41:12 Explained

Psalms 41:12

KJV: And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

YLT: As to me, in mine integrity, Thou hast taken hold upon me, And causest me to stand before Thee to the age.

Darby: But as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

ASV: And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, And settest me before thy face for ever.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And as for me, thou upholdest  me in mine integrity,  and settest  me before thy face  for ever. 

What does Psalms 41:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 41:1-13 - "lord, Heal My Soul"
This psalm was probably composed, with the adjacent ones, during the four years in which Absalom's conspiracy was being hatched. Perhaps the anxiety thus caused induced some serious illness, over which David's enemies exulted with unseemly glee. His sensitive nature was evidently greatly pained. But who does not realize the applicability of the psalm to the betrayal of our Lord? Psalms 41:9 is quoted in John 13:18.
In the day of trouble, when enemies oppose, Psalms 41:5-8, and friends prove false, Psalms 41:9, God draws near. Look after God's poor and He will care for you in the evil day. The blessings that you have endeavored to communicate will return to your own comfort in the hour of tribulation. God will make (or change) your bed in sickness, Psalms 41:3; will heal your soul, Psalms 41:4; and will set you before His face forever, Psalms 41:12. What a sweet conception of God as nurse in the room where feet must be shod with velvet and voices speak in gentlest tones!
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 41

1  The recompense of the charitable
4  David complains of his enemies' treachery
10  He flees to God for helpfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 41:12 mean?

And [As for] me in my integrity You uphold me and set me before Your face forever
וַאֲנִ֗י בְּ֭תֻמִּי תָּמַ֣כְתָּ בִּ֑י וַתַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי לְפָנֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָֽם

וַאֲנִ֗י  And  [As  for]  me 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
בְּ֭תֻמִּי  in  my  integrity 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: תֹּם  
Sense: integrity, completeness.
תָּמַ֣כְתָּ  You  uphold 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: תָּמַךְ  
Sense: to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast.
בִּ֑י  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
וַתַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי  and  set  me 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: הֻצַּב 
Sense: to stand, take one’s stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish.
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ  before  Your  face 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
לְעוֹלָֽם  forever 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.