Ps. 41.3 (Yhwh as nurse)

“Yhwh / will support him / on his sickbed – in his illness / you have changed / his whole bed.” This verse concludes the introductory remarks probably recited by the priest upon the entrance of the sick-man to the temple. It largely continues the theme from the previous verse of Yhwh’s protection, now pushing it into the realm of sickness itself. The ‘realm’ we described in the previous verse—safety in the land—now must address the further problem of an enemy internal to the camp/land: sickness. However one understands the nature of the sickness (which is not the concern here), it is an enemy that differs from “the wicked”. So, whereas in order to provide protection from enemies, Yhwh “kept” the psalmist, here he “supports him on his sickbed”. The theme is precisely the same, except now Yhwh has become a type of doctor or nurse to the psalmist, a healer of sorts. This is made explicit in the wonderful image of the following line: “you have changed his whole bed”. I am not aware of any image like this in Scripture, of Yhwh acting in this manner. The delicacy and care expressed are truly remarkable and evoke an intimacy that is touching. Important to recall: the “house of healing” is, in fact Yhwh’s house (the Temple). Hence, as he cares for the sick, he is ministering to them within his very home, the place of his dwelling. Important to note here is that the word will appear again in verse 12, in the context of a mention of Yhwh’s “presence”: “As for me you have supported me in my integrity and have me stand in your presence forever.” We may be supposed to recall the phrase of the previous verse: “Yhwh will keep him and give him life.”