The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; rather, let the righteous smite me kindly, as in the margin. And let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head; rather, which my head shall not refuse.

The psalmist will prefer the reproof of the righteous to the dainty allurements of the wicked. He will regard their words as an oil of welcome, such as was poured upon the head of favored guests (Luke 7:36), and his head will not refuse it.

For yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities; rather, their wickednesses. This healing oil will strengthen him to continue to pray for his enemies, even though they still continue in their "wickednesses."

More for Psalms 141:5

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10EXPOSITION ALMOST wholly a psalm of supplication. David is again in danger, and needs a prompt deliverance (Psalms 141:1). This time the danger seems to be that he may fall away, and be absorbed into the company of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10A comprehensive prayer. The psalm has some peculiar difficulties, due to the extreme abruptness with which the thoughts follow one another, and the great obscurity which hangs over the allusions. Let us try and select t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Acceptable sacrifices. The more distinctive teaching of this psalm respects— I. THE SACRIFICE OF PRAYER. (Psalms 141:2, Psalms 141:8, Psalms 141:9.) When the sacrificial services of the tabernacle (or temple) could not…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:1-10Keep me from the snares. This difficult psalm seems to be the cry of a greatly tempted soul. And the temptation now did not arise so much from the persecutions of the ungodly as from their seducing favors—what he calls…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 141:5-10We should be ready to welcome the rebuke of our heavenly Father, and also the reproof of our brethren. It shall not break my head, if it may but help to break my heart: we must show that we take it kindly. Those who sli…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:5The excellent oil of reproof; or, kindness smiting. Much may be learned from this verse concerning the very difficult and delicate task of reproving others. We learn— I. THAT REPROOF MAY BE SO ADMINISTERED AS TO BE EVEN…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:5Reproof and kindness. "Let the righteous man treat me with any amount of ignominious reproach for my sins, yet I will prefer him to the ungodly, however prosperous, my prayer being ever that I may be saved from the evil…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 141:5Praying for others. The psalmist here says he will do this. We need not trouble about the right rendering of this difficult verse, but may take it as it stands. It says that the calamities of the righteous shall stir th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors